Breakdown of Sie bekommen die Lizenz standardmäßig, andernfalls müssen Sie die Berechtigung beantragen.
Sie
you (formal)
müssen
to have to, must
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
bekommen
to receive / to get (be given)
beantragen
to apply for
standardmäßig
by default
die Lizenz
the license
andernfalls
otherwise
die Berechtigung
the authorization
Questions & Answers about Sie bekommen die Lizenz standardmäßig, andernfalls müssen Sie die Berechtigung beantragen.
How does andernfalls affect the word order in the second half of the sentence?
Andernfalls is an adverbial connector, meaning it acts as the first element (Position 1) in its clause. That is why the verb müssen comes right after it in Position 2, followed by the subject Sie. If it were a regular coordinating conjunction like und or aber, it wouldn't take up a numbered position and the subject would come first.
What is the difference between andernfalls and sonst?
Both words mean 'otherwise' or 'if not', but andernfalls is noticeably more formal. You will often see it in written contexts like official instructions, terms of service, or business correspondence. Sonst is the go-to word for everyday spoken German.
Why use beantragen instead of fragen or bitten for 'request'?
Beantragen specifically means to formally apply for or request something official, like a license (die Lizenz), a visa, or authorization (die Berechtigung). Fragen is just to ask a question, and bitten is used for everyday requests or favors.
How does the suffix in standardmäßig work?
The suffix -mäßig is added to the noun der Standard to mean 'conforming to the standard'. This suffix is very common in German to turn nouns into adjectives or adverbs, often translating to 'by default', 'in terms of', or 'as a rule'.
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