To ask a question in German, we have two ways: Asking questions with question words (W_Fragen) and asking questions with the answer being
To ask a question in German, we have two ways: asking questions with a question word (W_Fragen) and asking questions with the answer "Ja" or "Nein" (Ja/Nein Fragen). To ask W_Fragen, we need to be able to distinguish the question words in German. In today's article, Vogel will explore these question words together with you!!
Warum = weswegen = weshalb Why? | Used to ask about the reason. The answer usually begins with "weil" or "da" | Warum bist du sauer auf mich? - Weil du nie Zeit für mich hast! |
Wann When? | Used to ask about a specific point in time | Wann besuchst du mich? – Ich komme um 16 Uhr vorbei. |
Wo Where? | Used to ask about a specific location. The answer needs prepositions indicating location such as "in", "bei", "an" | Wo wohnst du? – Ich wohne in Berlin. |
Woher Where from? | Used to ask about origin, background, or the place of departure | Woher kommst du? – Ich komme aus Berlin. |
Wohin Where to? | Used to ask about the destination; the answer needs prepositions indicating location such as "nach", "in", "zu" | Wohin gehst du? – Ich gehe ins Büro. |
Wie How? | Used to ask about state | Wie geht es dir? - Mir geht es gut. |
Wie + Adjektiv/Adverb How much/many…? | Used to ask about a period of time, frequency, weight or age | Wie alt bist du? - Ich bin 16 Jahre alt. |
Wer Who? | Used to ask about a person | Wer bist du? - Ich bin Student. |
Welcher, welche, welches Which? | Used to ask about a specific person/thing within a group | Welchen Wein trinkst du? - Ich trinke Rotwein. |
Was What? | Used to ask about an object or something abstract | Was machst du? - Ich lese mein Lieblingsbuch. |
Knowledge test
Distinguishing common question words
- 1.
…………. kommst Ludwig? – Ludwig kommt vom Arzt.
- 2.
……….kommt der Zug? - Gleich.
- 3.
………. bist du? – Ich bin im Supermarkt.
- 4.
……. gehst du schwimmen? - Jeden Tag.
- 5.
……….. fährst du am Wochenende? – Ich fahre nach München.