Te-Ka-Mo-Lo: The Secret to Perfect German Sentence Structure
Learning German sentence structure can feel overwhelming. One of the biggest questions German learners have is: Where do I put time, reason, manner, and place in a sentence? Luckily, there’s an easy and effective solution: TeKaMoLo.
In this article, you will learn how to master word order in German using the TeKaMoLo rule. We will explain what each part means, show you how to use it in real sentences, and give you color-coded examples for better understanding.
Recommended study materials on the topic:
A-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)
German Verb Charts: Learning Regular and Irregular Verbs at a glance
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What Is TeKaMoLo in German?
TeKaMoLo is a memory aid that helps you remember the correct order of adverbial elements in German sentences. It stands for:
Te = Temporal – When? (Time)
Ka = Kausal – Why? (Reason)
Mo = Modal – How? (Manner)
Lo = Lokal – Where? (Place)
In most main clauses in German, the adverbials should appear in this exact order:
Time → Reason → Manner → Place
This order is what makes your German sound natural, clear, and fluent.
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What Do TeKaMoLo Parts Look Like in a Sentence?
Example 1:
English: I study German at home every day with great motivation because of my upcoming exam.
Example 2:
English: We’re driving to the city this weekend out of boredom.
Remember: TeKaMoLo is the golden rule of German word order: Time, Reason, Manner, Place.
Breakdown of Each Part
🟢 Te – Temporal (When? / Wann?)
Gives information about the time.
Examples: gestern, heute, morgen, am Montag, jede Woche
🟠 Ka – Kausal (Why? / Warum?)
Gives information about the reason.
Examples: wegen des Wetters, aus Freude, weil ich krank bin
🔵 Mo – Modal (How? / Wie?)
Describes the manner.
Examples: mit Freude, langsam, konzentriert, mit Freunden
🟣 Lo – Lokal (Where? / Wo?)
Gives information about the location.
Examples: zu Hause, in der Schule, ins Kino, auf dem Land
Why Should you Use TeKaMoLo?
If you want to:
Speak more fluently in German
Avoid confusing sentence structures
Improve your writing for tests or essays
Sound more natural and native-like
Then TeKaMoLo is your go-to rule for sentence building in German. It brings structure and clarity to your language learning journey.
Conclusion
The next time you’re unsure where to put time, reason, manner, or place in a German sentence, just whisper to yourself:
“TeKaMoLo – und alles ist klar!”
German word order can be tricky—but with a little logic, a bit of rhythm, and helpful tools like TeKaMoLo, it becomes second nature. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the guide about asking a question in German.
Bis bald!
Steffie
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