Breakdown of Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir drinnen.
wir
we
es
it
bleiben
to stay
regnen
to rain
wenn
when
drinnen
inside
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Questions & Answers about Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir drinnen.
What is the function of wenn in this sentence?
wenn is a subordinating conjunction meaning if (or sometimes when in a conditional sense). It introduces the condition under which the main clause (we stay inside) applies.
Why does the verb regnet appear at the end of the first clause?
Because wenn es regnet is a subordinate clause, and in German subordinate clauses the finite verb always goes to the end. That’s why regnet is placed after es rather than in second position.
Why is there a comma between regnet and bleiben?
German requires a comma whenever a subordinate clause (here Wenn es regnet) is linked to a main clause (bleiben wir drinnen). The comma clearly separates the condition from its result.
Can I switch the order and say Wir bleiben drinnen, wenn es regnet? Would anything else change?
Yes. You can start with the main clause: Wir bleiben drinnen, wenn es regnet. The comma is still needed, and regnet stays at the end of its subordinate clause. The main clause still follows the standard verb‑second rule.
Why do we use bleiben here? Could we say gehen wir drinnen or wir sind drinnen instead?
bleiben means to stay, so bleiben wir drinnen literally “we stay inside.”
– gehen wir drinnen would be ungrammatical because drinnen is not a direction you go.
– You could say wir sind drinnen (“we are inside”), but that focuses on your current state rather than the action of staying put when it rains.
What is the difference between drinnen, innen, and im Haus?
– drinnen is an adverb meaning inside (in a room/building).
– innen also exists but is more static/literary (e.g. die innen liegenden Räume).
– im Haus means in the house, more specific—drinnen can refer to any shelter or interior space.
Why does the clause say es regnet? What does es refer to?
German uses a dummy pronoun es for weather expressions. It doesn’t refer to anything concrete; it’s just needed because German grammar requires a subject, even for impersonal weather verbs like regnen.
Can I replace wenn with falls here? Does that change the nuance?
Yes, you can say Falls es regnet, bleiben wir drinnen. falls also means if in conditional sentences, but it’s slightly more formal or emphasizes a more uncertain possibility. In everyday speech wenn is more common.