so / therefore
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therefore
Introduces a logical conclusion or consequence. Synonyms are 'deshalb' (therefore) or 'folglich' (consequently).
Der Zug hatte Verspätung, also kam ich zu spät zur Arbeit.
The train was delayed, therefore I arrived late to work.
so / well
Used as a filler word or to introduce a new thought, often at the beginning of a sentence. Comparable to 'nun' (now) or the English 'so' or 'well'.
Also, was wollen wir heute Abend essen?
So, what do we want to eat tonight?
so
Used for confirmation or reassurance and means something like 'actually' or 'really'.
Du kommst also doch zu meiner Feier? Das freut mich!
So you are coming to my party after all? I'm glad!
Careful, 'also' does not mean the English 'also'! The German 'also' means 'so' or 'therefore'. The English 'also' in the sense of 'too' is translated into German as 'auch'.
Ich bin müde, also gehe ich jetzt ins Bett.
I'm tired, so I'm going to bed now.
When 'also' introduces a logical consequence, it often stands in position 1 in the sentence. The verb then moves directly after it into position 2. This word order is called inversion.
Es regnet, also nehmen wir einen Schirm mit.
It's raining, so we're taking an umbrella with us.
When 'also' is used as a filler word or to introduce a thought, it stands outside the sentence structure. The sentence after it keeps its normal word order; no inversion takes place.
Also, ich schlage vor, wir fangen jetzt an.
So, I suggest we start now.
and
„Und“ can connect an action with its consequence, with the connection inferred from the context. „Also“ explicitly marks the second statement as a logical consequence. Use „also“ when you want the conclusion to stand out clearly.
Der Bus fällt aus, also gehen wir zu Fuß.
The bus is canceled, so we’re walking.
Der Bus fällt aus, und wir gehen zu Fuß.
The bus is canceled, and we’re walking.
