The verb is always second
In English, the subject comes first and the verb follows, even if you start with another word: Today I go to the cinema. In German, the conjugated verb is the second element of a statement. If you start with another word, the subject moves behind the verb.
Putting a time word first
The same sentence, three starts
Ich gehe heute ins Kino.
I'm going to the cinema today.
Heute gehe ich ins Kino.
Today I'm going to the cinema.
Ins Kino gehe ich heute.
I'm going to the cinema today.
the cinema is stressed
Position 1 is one element, not one word
Position 1 can hold several words, as long as they belong together: Der neue Kollege aus Berlin is one element. The verb comes right after it.
One sentence, three starts
| Position 1 | Position 2 | Rest |
|---|---|---|
| Meine Schwester | arbeitet | morgen in Berlin. |
| Morgen | arbeitet | meine Schwester in Berlin. |
| Nächsten Samstag um zehn | arbeitet | meine Schwester in Berlin. |
The verb never moves.
One element, several words
Der neue Kollege aus Berlin spricht sehr gut Deutsch.
The new colleague from Berlin speaks very good German.
Jeden Abend um acht essen wir zusammen.
Every evening at eight we eat together.
Sentences you can use today
Jetzt habe ich Zeit.
I have time now.
Heute Abend koche ich.
I'm cooking tonight.
Danach trinken wir einen Kaffee.
Afterwards we'll have a coffee.
Hier ist es sehr laut.
It's very loud here.
Vielleicht regnet es später.
Maybe it will rain later.
Leider habe ich keine Zeit.
Unfortunately I don't have time.
