Asking Questions
Asking questions is key to getting information and joining conversations. This guide goes over the main ways to ask questions in German with clear examples.
Yes/No Questions
Yes/no questions are answered with a simple ja or nein. They start by placing the verb first, followed by the subject and any other parts. This straightforward format makes them quick to form and easy to recognize.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| ☕ Kommst du mit Kaffee an den See? | Are you coming with coffee to the lake? |
| 🏄♂️ Können wir morgen früh surfen gehen? | Can we go surfing tomorrow morning? |
| 🌅 Ist der Sonnenaufgang am See wirklich so schön? | Is the sunrise at the lake really that beautiful? |
| 🚣♀️ Hast du ein Boot für heute Nachmittag? | Do you have a boat for this afternoon? |
Formation
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W‑Fragen (W‑questions)
W‑questions begin with question words like wer, was, wann, wo, warum, wie and ask for specific information. The verb comes immediately after the question word, and the subject follows the verb. These questions guide the listener to give details rather than just yes or no.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🕗 Wann gehst du zum See? | When are you going to the lake? |
| 📍 Wo ist der beste Platz zum Sonnen? | Where is the best place to sunbathe? |
| 🍉 Was sollen wir zum Picknick mitbringen? | What should we bring for the picnic? |
| 🎒 Wer passt auf die Sachen am Strand? | Who is watching the things on the beach? |
| 🌬️ Warum sind heute so viele Drachen am Himmel? | Why are there so many kites in the sky today? |
| 🧐 Wie kommst du zum Steg vom Parkplatz? | How do you get to the pier from the parking lot? |
Common W‑fragen
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Questions with Prepositions
Some questions require prepositions to show relationships like time, place, cause or manner. The preposition comes first or attaches to the question word, and the verb stays in the second position. These questions often ask for more precise answers.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🏕️ Mit wem verbringst du den Nachmittag am See? | With whom are you spending the afternoon at the lake? |
| ⏳ Worauf wartest du am Strand? | What are you waiting for on the beach? |
| 🚗 Von wo kommt das Boot? | From where is the boat coming? |
| 🧴 Woran erkenne ich den guten Sonnenschutz? | How do I recognize the good sunscreen? |
Key Prepositions
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Tag Questions
Tag questions turn a statement into a question by adding a short tag at the end, inviting confirmation. In German, common tags are nicht wahr?, oder?, and gell?. The main sentence stays in normal word order and the tag softens the question.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌇 Der Sonnenuntergang ist toll, oder? | The sunset is great, isn’t it? |
| 🌊 Heute ist das Wasser warm, nicht wahr? | The water is warm today, isn’t it? |
| 🏖️ Du hast das Handtuch mitgebracht, oder? | You brought the towel, didn’t you? |
| 🚴 Morgen fahren wir zum See, stimmt’s? | We’re going to the lake tomorrow, right? |
Common Tags
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Indirect Questions
Indirect questions embed a question inside a statement or another question, using phrases like ich möchte wissen, kannst du mir sagen, or ich frage mich. The embedded question follows normal word order for subordinate clauses, which makes them more polite and less direct.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🗣️ Kannst du mir sagen, wann der erste Rettungsschwimmer da ist? | Can you tell me when the first lifeguard arrives? |
| ❓ Weißt du, ob heute das Strandcafé geöffnet ist? | Do you know if the beach café is open today? |
| 🧭 Ich möchte wissen, wo man am See am besten parkt. | I want to know where the best place to park is at the lake. |
| 📬 Sagst du mir, wie ich zum nächsten Steg komme? | Will you tell me how to get to the nearest pier? |
Key Phrases
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Summary
Asking good questions German relies on choosing the right question word, placing the verb correctly, and using prepositions when needed. Tag questions and indirect questions help you sound natural and polite. Practice forming each type to make questioning second nature.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025