Breakdown of Die Lage der Wohnung ist fantastisch, wobei das auch ein Nachteil sein kann.
sein
to be
ein
a, an (eine)
auch
also, too
die Wohnung
the apartment
können
can / to be able to
fantastisch
fantastic
die Lage
the location
wobei
whereby (recognizing that)
der Nachteil
the disadvantage
Questions & Answers about Die Lage der Wohnung ist fantastisch, wobei das auch ein Nachteil sein kann.
How does wobei function in this specific context?
Here, wobei acts as a restrictive relative connector. It limits or adds a caveat to the positive statement in the first half of the sentence. While it translates literally to "whereby," in everyday English it functions more like "although," "mind you," or "having said that." The speaker is pointing out that a fantastic location might also bring downsides, such as street noise.
Why is the verb kann at the very end of the sentence?
Because wobei functions as a subordinating conjunction here. Just like dass or weil, it kicks the conjugated verb (kann) to the very end of its clause. The infinitive sein comes right before it, following standard word order rules for modal verbs in subordinate clauses.
What exactly does the pronoun das refer to here?
The pronoun das doesn't refer to a specific neuter noun in the previous clause (since Lage and Wohnung are both feminine). Instead, it refers to the entire concept introduced in the first half of the sentence: the fact that the apartment's location is fantastic. Using das to refer back to a whole idea or situation is very common in German.
Why is it ein Nachteil (nominative) instead of einen Nachteil (accusative)?
The verb in this clause is sein (to be). Verbs of being link the subject to a description, meaning they take the nominative case on both sides (known as a predicate noun). Here, das is the subject (nominative), and ein Nachteil is what it is, so it must also stay in the nominative case.
Learn Die Lage der Wohnung ist fantastisch, wobei das auch ein Nachteil sein kann and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free