wodurch
through what
Interrogative adverb: asks what means, cause, or circumstance makes something happen or possible.
EXAMPLE
Wodurch ist dieser Schaden entstanden?
What caused this damage?
wodurch
whereby / through what
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Meanings
wodurch
whereby
Relative adverb: refers to a previously mentioned thing, action, or circumstance and means “through which” or “as a result of which.”
EXAMPLE
Er fand eine Lösung, wodurch das Problem schnell behoben werden konnte.
He found a solution whereby the problem could be resolved quickly.
Usage tips
Word formation
“Wodurch” combines “wo” (what/which) with “durch” (through) and asks about the means, cause, or circumstance behind an event. The form remains unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Wodurch konnte der Fehler so schnell gefunden werden?
What made it possible to find the error so quickly?
Question pattern
As an interrogative adverb, “wodurch” (through what/what caused it) usually appears at the beginning of a direct or indirect question. The answer often names a means, cause, or circumstance with “durch” (through) followed by a noun phrase.
EXAMPLE
Wodurch unterscheiden sich die beiden Modelle?
What distinguishes the two models from each other?
Relative clause
As a relative adverb, “wodurch” (whereby/through which) refers to a previously mentioned thing, action, or entire situation. It is followed by a subordinate clause with the conjugated verb at the end; a comma comes before “wodurch.”
EXAMPLE
Der Zug fiel aus, wodurch sich unsere Ankunft deutlich verspätete.
The train was canceled, which significantly delayed our arrival.
In real life
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