Breakdown of Kaufen wir das alte Segelboot, brauchen wir ein neues Segel.
ein
a, an (eine)
kaufen
to buy
wir
we
brauchen
to need
alt
old
neu
new
das Segelboot
the sailboat
das Segel
the sail
Questions & Answers about Kaufen wir das alte Segelboot, brauchen wir ein neues Segel.
Why does this sentence start with the verb kaufen instead of wenn?
This is a conditional clause without the word wenn (if). By putting the conjugated verb in the very first position (Kaufen wir... instead of Wenn wir... kaufen), it automatically creates an 'if' statement. It means the exact same thing but sounds a bit more concise.
Why does the second half of the sentence start with the verb brauchen?
In German, the verb in a main clause must take the second position. The entire 'if' clause before the comma (Kaufen wir das alte Segelboot) counts as position one. To keep the verb in position two, brauchen must come immediately after the comma.
How can I tell this isn't a question, since it starts with a verb?
Even though Kaufen wir das alte Segelboot? on its own is a question, the comma tells you there is more to the sentence. When a clause starts with a verb and is followed by a comma and a main clause, it is always a conditional 'if' statement, not a question.
Both Segelboot and Segel are neuter words. Why is it das alte but ein neues?
This is a great example of adjective declension in the accusative case. With the definite article das, the neuter gender is already clearly shown, so the adjective just takes the weak ending -e (das alte). With the indefinite article ein, the gender isn't obvious (since ein is also used for masculine words), so the adjective has to prove it's neuter by taking the strong ending -es (ein neues).
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