dann
/dan/
In German, 'then' can be translated as dann or damals depending on the context.
Meaning: at that time (adv)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| dann | /dan/ |
| damals | /ˈdaːmaːls/ |
The English word 'then' has different meanings in German. When referring to a specific point or period in the distant past, use damals. When describing a sequence of events, such as 'do this, then do that', use dann.
Which one should you use?
The primary difference lies in time and sequence. Use damals to mean 'at that time' in the past. Use dann to indicate a logical or temporal sequence (e.g., 'next in a sequence').
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective damalig can be used to describe something that belonged to or existed during that specific past time, such as a 'then-boss'.
How do you pronounce it?
/dan/
Did you know?
- In colloquial German, dann is often used as a filler word to signal that a speaker is wrapping up a conversation and preparing to leave.
- Unlike English 'then', which can be used to mean 'therefore', German speakers must use daher or deshalb to express a logical consequence.
- The Yiddish words demolt and demolts are closely related to the German damals, showing how this specific way of discussing the past moved through Jewish linguistic history.
Examples in context
- So war es damals.That's the way things were back then.This sentence shows how to use damals to describe how things were in the past.Tatoeba #7196470 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7023531 by Hybrid
- So war das damals.That's how it was back then.This sentence demonstrates the use of damals for describing past states.Tatoeba #11214740 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9028541 by Hybrid
- Dann küsste er ihn.Then he kissed him.This sentence illustrates the use of dann to show a sequence of actions.Tatoeba #8299874 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8299858 by Hybrid
- Wenn du bereit bist, dann können wir anfangen.If you're ready, then we can start.
- Erst muss ich die Hausaufgaben machen und dann kann ich spielen.First I have to do my homework, and then I can play.
- Ich nehme eine Dusche und danach gehe ich ins Bett.I'm taking a shower, and then I'm going to bed.
- Wir machen Hausaufgaben und danach gehen wir ins Kino.We're doing our homework, and then we're going to the cinema.
- Ich gehe zum Frisör und dann treffe ich mich mit meinen Freunden.I'm going to the hairdresser, and then I'm meeting up with my friends.
- Zuerst fahre ich in die Stadt, und dann kaufe ich die Geburtstagsgeschenke.First, I'm going to the city, and then I'm buying the birthday presents.
- 955 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are talking about their childhood.
- HannahWir hatten noch keine Handys, dann spielten wir draußen.We didn't have cell phones yet, then we played outside.
- JulianJa, ich erinnere mich an diese Zeit.Yes, I remember that time.
- HannahWarst du dann oft im Park?Were you often in the park then?
- JulianJa, fast jeden Tag.Yes, almost every day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “then” translations and entries dann, damals, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries damals, dann, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
