Breakdown of Der Wissenschaftler zeigt den Kontinent, wohin das Wort wandert.
wohin
where to
zeigen
to show
der Wissenschaftler
the scientist
der Kontinent
the continent
das Wort
the word
wandern
to migrate
Questions & Answers about Der Wissenschaftler zeigt den Kontinent, wohin das Wort wandert.
Why use wohin here instead of a preposition plus a relative pronoun like in den?
When a relative clause describes movement to a destination, you can use the directional adverb wohin (where to) instead of a preposition plus a relative pronoun like in den (into which). Both are grammatically correct, but wohin is often simpler and sounds very natural.
Could I just say wo das Wort wandert?
No, because wo refers to a fixed location (where at). The verb wandern (to migrate) involves movement toward a goal. In German, whenever you express motion towards a destination, you must use wohin (where to) rather than wo.
Why is it den Kontinent rather than der Kontinent?
Because it is the direct object of the main clause. The scientist is showing the continent. Since Kontinent is a masculine noun, it takes the accusative case here, making the article den.
Why does wandert go at the very end of the sentence?
Because wohin introduces a relative clause, which is a type of subordinate clause. In German, subordinate clauses always push the conjugated verb (wandert) to the very end of their clause.
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