weswegen
why
Question adverb meaning „aus welchem Grund“ (for what reason) or „warum“ (why); it asks about the occasion or cause of something.
EXAMPLE
Weswegen hast du den Termin abgesagt?
Why did you cancel the appointment?
weswegen
why
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Meanings
weswegen
which is why
Relative adverb meaning „aus welchem Grund“ (for what reason) or „weshalb“ (why). It introduces a subordinate clause and refers to a situation mentioned previously.
EXAMPLE
Der Zug hatte Verspätung, weswegen wir den Anschluss verpassten.
The train was delayed, which is why we missed our connection.
Usage tips
Direct questions
In a direct question, „weswegen“ (why) usually appears at the beginning of the sentence. It is followed by the conjugated verb and then the subject.
EXAMPLE
Weswegen braucht ihr ein größeres Auto?
Why do you need a larger car?
Indirect questions
„Weswegen“ (why) can also introduce an indirect question, for example after „wissen“ (to know) or „sich fragen“ (to wonder). The conjugated verb then appears at the end of the subordinate clause; a comma comes before „weswegen“ (why).
EXAMPLE
Ich frage mich, weswegen die Bibliothek heute geschlossen ist.
I wonder why the library is closed today.
Reference to what came before
After a statement, „weswegen“ (which is why) refers to the situation mentioned previously, not to a single noun. The following subordinate clause states its consequence; it is separated by a comma and has the conjugated verb at the end.
EXAMPLE
Die Heizung war ausgefallen, weswegen wir die Nacht bei Freunden verbrachten.
The heating had broken down, which is why we spent the night with friends.
In real life
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