Distinguishing types of questions in German

In German, there are two main types of questions. These are questions with question words (W-Fragen) and questions with yes/no answers (Ja-/Nein- Fragen). Today's article will help you learn about these two types of questions.

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1. W-Fragen

• W-Fragen are questions that begin with a question word.

• Some commonly encountered question words in German:

Wann: When? Warum/ Wieso: Why? Was: What?

Wie: How? Wie viel(e): How much/many? Wo: Where?

Woher: Where from? Wohin: Where to? Wie lange: How long

Wer: Who? .......

Example:

a. Wann kommst du? (When are you coming?)

b. Warum hat er noch nicht seine Hausaufgaben gemacht? (Why hasn't he done his homework yet?)

c. Wo wollen wir uns treffen? (Where do we want to meet?)

2. Ja-/Nein- Fragen

• Ja-/Nein- Fragen are questions that begin with a verb — this can be a main verb (Vollverben), a modal verb (Modalverben), or an auxiliary verb (Hilfsverben)

Example:

a. Kommst du mit? (Are you coming along?)

→ The question begins with the main verb ''kommen''

b. Kann ich mit dem Fahrrad fahren? (Can I go by bicycle?)

→ The question begins with the modal verb ''können''

c. Ist Ben gestern nach Berlin umgezogen? (Did Ben move to Berlin yesterday?)

→ The question begins with the auxiliary verb ''sein''

• How to answer Ja-/Nein- Fragen:

- For affirmative questions, the answer will begin with Ja (Yes) or Nein (No)

Example: Kommst du aus Vietnam? (Are you from Vietnam?)

      → Ja, ich komme aus Vietnam. (Yes, I am from Vietnam.)→ Nein, ich komme aus Korea. (No, I come from Korea.)

- For negative questions (containing a negative element such as kein-, nicht, etc.), the answer will begin with Doch (Yes, I do / On the contrary) or Nein (No).

Example: Kommst du nicht zur Party? (You're not coming to the party?)

      → Doch, ich komme sofort. (Yes I am, I'm coming right now.) ⇒ Expresses disagreement with the question. 

      → Nein, ich komme nicht. (No, I'm not coming.)  ⇒ Expresses agreement with the question