Breakdown of Dieses neue Projekt ist nicht leicht, daher brauche ich eine Pause.
sein
to be
neu
new
ich
I
nicht
not
brauchen
to need
dieses
this
das Projekt
the project
leicht
easy
daher
therefore
die Pause
the break
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Questions & Answers about Dieses neue Projekt ist nicht leicht, daher brauche ich eine Pause.
What is the function of the adverb daher in the sentence?
Daher translates to therefore in English. It connects the two independent clauses by showing that the second clause (expressing that a break is needed) is a consequence of the first clause (stating that the new project isn’t easy).
Why is there a comma before daher?
In German, when two independent clauses are joined—even by an adverb like daher—a comma is used to clarify the separation between them. This punctuation helps the reader understand that what follows is a result or consequence of the first statement.
Why does the verb brauche immediately follow daher in the second clause instead of coming after the subject?
German main clauses follow a verb-second (V2) word order rule. When the sentence begins with an adverbial element such as daher, the finite verb (brauche in this case) must occupy the second position. This is why even though ich is the subject, the order becomes daher (first element) → brauche (finite verb) → ich (subject).
How do the words dieses neue Projekt reflect correct gender and adjective agreement in German?
Projekt is a neuter noun in German (the definite article being das). When using a demonstrative like dies, the correct form for neuter in the nominative is dieses. Since the article provides clear gender and case information, the adjective neu takes the weak ending -e, resulting in neue. Thus, the phrase correctly becomes dieses neue Projekt.
What does nicht leicht convey in this sentence?
Nicht leicht means not easy. It indicates that the project is challenging or demanding, setting up the rationale for why a break (eine Pause) is needed.
Can daher be replaced with another word, and if so, what alternatives might work?
Yes, daher can be substituted with other causal connectors such as deshalb or folglich, both of which also mean therefore. Each alternative maintains the logical relationship between the difficulty of the project and the need for a break.