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Ich packe außerdem den Stadtplan ein, falls wir uns verlaufen.

Ich packe außerdem den Stadtplan ein, falls wir uns verlaufen.
I am also packing the city map in case we get lost.
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Questions & Answers about Ich packe außerdem den Stadtplan ein, falls wir uns verlaufen.

Why is ein at the end of the clause Ich packe … ein?

Because einpacken is a separable verb. In main clauses, the prefix separates and goes to the end of the clause.

  • Main clause: Ich packe den Stadtplan ein.
  • Subordinate clause: …, dass ich den Stadtplan einpacke. (prefix reattaches and the finite verb goes to the end)
  • Perfect: Ich habe den Stadtplan eingepackt. (ge + prefix + stem + t)
Could I just use packen instead of einpacken?

Not here. Packen can mean “to pack” when you name the container (e.g., den Koffer packen) or “to grab/to manage.” Einpacken means “to pack something into something,” which is exactly what you’re doing with a map and a bag.

  • Natural: Ich packe den Stadtplan ein.
  • Also natural: Ich packe den Stadtplan in den Rucksack.
  • Bare Ich packe den Stadtplan sounds incomplete unless you add what you’re packing (e.g., den Rucksack) or into what.
Why is it den Stadtplan and not dem Stadtplan or der Stadtplan?

Einpacken takes a direct object in the accusative. Stadtplan is masculine (der Stadtplan), so the accusative article is den:

  • Nominative: der Stadtplan
  • Accusative: den Stadtplan Plural: die Stadtpläne
What’s the difference between Stadtplan, Karte, and Landkarte?
  • Stadtplan: a city map (street plan of a town/city).
  • Karte: general “map” (also “card”); you need context.
  • Landkarte: a map of a larger area (country/region). You might also see Stadtkarte, but Stadtplan is the standard term for a city map.
What does außerdem add, and how is it different from auch?

Außerdem means “in addition/besides/furthermore” and explicitly adds another item to a list or argument. Auch simply means “also/too.”

  • Ich packe außerdem den Stadtplan ein. (adds another item in a structured way)
  • Ich packe den Stadtplan auch ein. (also packing it; more neutral/informal)
Where can außerdem go, and do I need a comma after it at the start?

Common placements:

  • Ich packe außerdem den Stadtplan ein.
  • Außerdem packe ich den Stadtplan ein. (fronted; no comma is needed in standard writing)
  • Ich packe den Stadtplan außerdem ein. (possible, a bit less common) Don’t put a comma after Außerdem by default.
Why is there a comma before falls, and what happens to word order after it?

Falls introduces a subordinate clause, which must be separated by a comma. In that subordinate clause, the conjugated verb goes to the end:

  • …, falls wir uns verlaufen. (verb-final: verlaufen)
What’s the difference between falls, wenn, and ob?
  • Falls = “in case” (a possible condition; often uncertain). Example: Ich nehme einen Regenschirm mit, falls es regnet.
  • Wenn = “if/when” (conditional or whenever/repeated). Example: Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.
  • Ob = “whether/if” for yes/no indirect questions, not conditions. Example: Ich weiß nicht, ob es regnet. You can often use wenn instead of falls for conditions; falls highlights the idea of “just in case.” Never use ob for conditions.
Why is it wir uns verlaufen and not wir verlaufen uns?

Because falls creates a subordinate clause, and in subordinate clauses the finite verb moves to the end: wir uns verlaufen. In a main clause you would say wir verlaufen uns (verb in second position).

  • Subordinate: …, falls wir uns verlaufen.
  • Main: Wir verlaufen uns.
What does sich verlaufen mean exactly, and why do we need uns? Which case is it?

Sich verlaufen is a reflexive verb meaning “to get lost (on foot).” The reflexive pronoun is required; without it, verlaufen has other meanings (e.g., “to proceed/run,” “to spread” as with ink).

  • Conjugation examples: Ich verlaufe mich, du verläufst dich, wir verlaufen uns, sie verlaufen sich The reflexive pronoun here is accusative (no other object competes for the accusative).
Are there other ways to say “to get lost”?

Yes:

  • Sich verirren: also “to get lost” (people); slightly more formal/neutral than sich verlaufen.
  • Sich verfahren: to get lost while driving (by vehicle).
  • Verloren gehen: for objects getting lost.
  • Verlieren: to lose something (an object), not yourself.
Why is the present tense used for a future situation? Could I use werden?

German commonly uses the present for near-future or conditional contexts when the time is clear. Your sentence naturally implies the future. You can use the future for emphasis or clarity:

  • Ich werde außerdem den Stadtplan einpacken, falls wir uns verlaufen. Both are correct; the present is more common and neutral here.
How do I negate this? Where does nicht go with a separable verb?

Place nicht before the separated prefix at the end:

  • Ich packe den Stadtplan nicht ein. With außerdem:
  • Ich packe außerdem den Stadtplan nicht ein.
Can I start with the falls-clause?

Yes:

  • Falls wir uns verlaufen, packe ich außerdem den Stadtplan ein. When the subordinate clause comes first, the finite verb of the main clause still occupies position 2, so packe comes before ich.
Could I express purpose instead of condition, like “so that we don’t get lost”?

Yes, use damit and negation:

  • Ich packe außerdem den Stadtplan ein, damit wir uns nicht verlaufen. Note the difference: falls = “in case (it happens),” damit = “so that (it doesn’t happen)” (purpose).
Would mitnehmen work instead of einpacken?

Yes, with a slight nuance:

  • Ich nehme außerdem den Stadtplan mit, falls wir uns verlaufen. (focus on taking it along)
  • Ich packe … ein (focus on putting it into the bag while packing) Both are idiomatic; choose based on what you want to emphasize.