Learn Hardcore German: Mein größtes Problem ist oft das fehlende Geld, weil ich neue Bücher kaufen muss. - My biggest problem is often the lack of money, because I need to buy new books.

Mein größtes Problem translates to “My biggest problem.” The adjective groß (meaning “big”) is turned into its superlative form by adding -st and the appropriate adjective ending. Since Problem is a neuter noun in the nominative case preceded by the definite article mein, the adjective takes the ending -es, resulting in größtes.

Why is the adverb oft placed after ist rather than at the beginning of the sentence?

In German, adverbs of frequency like oft typically occupy the mid-position of a sentence. In this case, placing it after the linking verb ist is standard practice. This placement emphasizes that the state described by the verb happens frequently, much like the English construction “is often.”

What does das fehlende Geld mean, and why is the adjective fehlende used here instead of another noun like Geldmangel?

Das fehlende Geld can be understood as “the missing money” or “the lack of money.” The adjective fehlende (from the verb fehlen, meaning “to be missing”) describes the noun Geld (money). It is used attributively with a definite article, which requires the adjective ending -e in the nominative neuter form. While Geldmangel is a noun meaning “lack of money,” using das fehlende Geld emphasizes that the money itself is absent, highlighting the direct cause of the problem.

Why is there a comma before the subordinate clause beginning with weil?

In German punctuation, subordinate clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions—such as weil (meaning “because”)—are always set off by a comma. This comma signals to the reader that what follows is an explanation or reason related to the main clause, making the sentence structure clearer.

Why does the subordinate clause weil ich neue Bücher kaufen muss use the verb order kaufen muss instead of muss kaufen?

In subordinate clauses in German, the finite verb always appears at the end. When a modal construction is involved, the main verb (here, kaufen) is placed before the finite modal verb (muss). In a main clause, you would normally say ich muss neue Bücher kaufen, but the subordinate clause rules require the order kaufen muss so that the finite element comes last.

How does the structure of this sentence illustrate the key differences between main and subordinate clauses in German syntax?

This sentence combines a main clause—Mein größtes Problem ist oft das fehlende Geld—with a subordinate clause introduced by weil. In the main clause, the verb ist follows the subject and adverbs like oft are typically placed in mid-position. In contrast, the subordinate clause ends with its finite verb muss, after the main infinitive kaufen, adhering to the rule that the finite verb must come at the end. This clear difference in verb placement is a hallmark of German syntax and an important concept for learners to grasp.