Breakdown of Was auch immer passiert, wir schaffen das.
wir
we
schaffen
to manage
das
it
passieren
to happen
Questions & Answers about Was auch immer passiert, wir schaffen das.
Why is the verb passiert at the end of Was auch immer passiert?
Because this is a dependent (subordinate) clause. In German subordinate clauses, the finite verb goes to the end. Here, was auch immer introduces a free relative/concessive clause (“no matter what”), so passiert is placed last. The subject of the clause is was, so the verb is third-person singular: passiert.
Is the present tense passiert really talking about the future here?
Yes. German often uses the simple present to talk about the future when the timeframe is clear from context. You could say Was auch immer passieren wird, but Was auch immer passiert is more idiomatic and concise.
Can I say Was auch passiert or Was immer passiert instead of Was auch immer passiert?
- Was auch passiert: fully acceptable, a bit tighter; slightly more formal-sounding to some ears.
- Was immer passiert: possible, but can sound a bit old-fashioned or regional; less common in everyday speech.
- Was auch immer passiert: the most neutral and widely used. A very colloquial alternative is Egal, was passiert.
Can I flip the order: Wir schaffen das, was auch immer passiert?