Breakdown of Die Kompetenz der Mitarbeiter ist so wichtig, wie der Chef immer sagt.
sein
to be
sagen
to say
immer
always
der Chef
the boss (male)
wichtig
important
so
so, such (intensifier)
der Mitarbeiter
the employee (male)
wie
as (in comparisons)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
die Kompetenz
the competence
Questions & Answers about Die Kompetenz der Mitarbeiter ist so wichtig, wie der Chef immer sagt.
Why is there a comma before wie in this sentence?
In this sentence, wie introduces a full subordinate clause with its own subject (der Chef) and conjugated verb (sagt). In German, you must use a comma to separate a main clause from a subordinate clause. If the comparison didn't have a conjugated verb and only compared nouns (for example, so wichtig wie der Chef), you would not use a comma.
Why does the verb sagt go at the very end of the sentence?
Because wie acts as a subordinating conjunction here, introducing a comparative subordinate clause. As a fundamental rule in German, subordinate clauses push their conjugated verb to the very end of that clause.
Could I leave out so and just say ... ist wichtig, wie der Chef immer sagt?
You could, but it would change the meaning. To express a comparison of equality like "as important as", you need the paired construction so [adjective] ..., wie. If you left out so, the sentence would mean "The competence of the staff is important, just like the boss always says." This would emphasize the fact that it is important, rather than comparing the degree of importance.
Why is the article der used before Mitarbeiter if "employees" is plural?
This is a great place to remember the genitive (possessive) case, which here expresses "of the employees". In the genitive case, the plural definite article is der. It looks exactly like the masculine nominative article, but the context of it following another noun (Die Kompetenz) tells us it is showing possession.
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