Breakdown of Die Hefe hilft, aber wir warten, bis der Teig aufgeht.
aber
but
wir
we
warten
to wait
helfen
to help
Questions & Answers about Die Hefe hilft, aber wir warten, bis der Teig aufgeht.
Why is the verb aufgeht at the very end of the sentence?
The word bis (until) is a subordinating conjunction. This means it creates a dependent clause and forces its conjugated verb all the way to the end of the sentence.
Wait, isn't aufgehen a separable verb? Why isn't it separated here?
You're right, aufgehen is a separable verb! In a normal main clause, you would split it: Der Teig geht auf (The dough rises). However, because bis forces the verb to the end of the clause, the verb and its prefix are pushed back together into a single word: ... bis der Teig aufgeht.
Why doesn't aber push the verb to the end like bis does?
aber (but) is a coordinating conjunction, which joins two equal main clauses. It counts as "Position 0" in the sentence, so the normal Subject-Verb order stays intact right after it: wir (Position 1) warten (Position 2).
Why are there commas before aber and bis?
In German, commas are strictly used to separate clauses. Because this sentence has three different clauses, each with its own conjugated verb (hilft, warten, and aufgeht), you must place commas between them.
Does aufgehen always mean "to rise"?