Breakdown of Wir haben keinen Konflikt, solange du den Abwasch machst.
du
you (informal singular)
machen
to make, to do
haben
to have
kein
no, not any
Questions & Answers about Wir haben keinen Konflikt, solange du den Abwasch machst.
Why is the verb machst at the very end of the sentence?
The word solange (as long as) is a subordinating conjunction. This means it introduces a dependent clause and forces the conjugated verb, which is machst in this case, to move to the very end of that clause.
Could I start this sentence with the solange part instead?
Absolutely! You could say: Solange du den Abwasch machst, haben wir keinen Konflikt. Notice that if you start the whole sentence with the dependent clause, the main clause immediately follows with its verb first (haben wir). This is because the entire subordinate clause takes up the first position in the overall sentence.
Why do we use keinen instead of nicht for 'no conflict'?
In German, you use forms of kein to negate a noun that has no article or an indefinite article (a/an). Since Konflikt is a masculine noun acting as the direct object of the verb haben, it takes the accusative ending -en, becoming keinen Konflikt.
Is den Abwasch machen a set phrase?
Yes, der Abwasch refers specifically to the dirty dishes or the chore of washing up. Germans pair it with the verb machen, just like English speakers say 'do the dishes'. Because it is the direct object here, it takes the accusative masculine form den Abwasch.