Sentence structure

A German main clause has one non-negotiable rule: the conjugated verb sits in position 2. Position here means a slot, not a word — "Am Samstag" is one position even though it is two words.

Position 1 = anything you like · Position 2 = the conjugated verb · then the rest.

• Ich heiße Ayoub.

  My name is Ayoub.

• Ich komme aus Marokko.

  I come from Morocco.

• Ich wohne in Casablanca.

  I live in Casablanca.

• Ich bin 25 Jahre alt.

  I am 25 years old.

• Ich arbeite als Softwareentwickler.

  I work as a software developer.

• Ich arbeite von zu Hause.

  I work from home.

• Ich spiele gern Videospiele.

  I like playing video games.

• Ich trinke morgens Kaffee.

  I drink coffee in the mornings.

Now start a sentence with something else. The verb does not move — the subject does, jumping to just after the verb.

• Heute arbeite ich.

  Today I am working.

  Heute (1) · arbeite (2) · ich

• Am Samstag spiele ich Videospiele.

  On Saturday I play video games.

  Am Samstag (1) · spiele (2) · ich

• Morgens trinke ich Kaffee.

  In the mornings I drink coffee.

gern is not a verb — it is a little word that slots in after the verb and means you enjoy doing the thing. Ich spiele gern Videospiele.