German conversation vocabulary for asking follow-up questions, making small talk, and smoothly continuing dialogue.
Keeping a conversation going is all about asking the right questions and adding natural follow-up remarks. This page introduces essential German phrases and vocabulary to help you move beyond greetings and build real connections.
- Covers common question words and follow-up expressions
- Includes examples for everyday topics like hobbies, work, and family
- Helps conversations flow smoothly without awkward pauses
Question Words
These are the fundamental question words you’ll need to ask anything in German. They form the basis for all sorts of follow-up questions.
| German Question Word | English | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wer? | Who? | Wer ist dein Lehrer? | Who is your teacher? |
| Was? | What? | Was machst du heute? | What are you doing today? |
| Wo? | Where? | Wo wohnst du? | Where do you live? |
| Wann? | When? | Wann hast du Zeit? | When do you have time? |
| Warum? | Why? | Warum lernst du Deutsch? | Why are you learning German? |
| Wie? | How? | Wie geht es dir? | How are you? |
| Wie viel(e)? | How many/much? | Wie viele Geschwister hast du? | How many siblings do you have? |
___ hast du Zeit?
What is the German question word for ’When do you have time?’
Wann
'Wann' means 'When' in German and is used to ask about time, as in 'Wann hast du Zeit?' ('When do you have time?').
Follow-Up Questions
Once you’ve asked something, these phrases help you dig a little deeper and show genuine interest in the other person.
| German Phrase | English | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Und du? | And you? | Ich mag Fußball. Und du? | I like soccer. And you? |
| Wirklich? | Really? | Ich habe einen Hund. Wirklich? | I have a dog. Really? |
| Schon mal...? | Ever...? | Warst du schon mal in Berlin? | Have you ever been to Berlin? |
| Was genau? | What exactly? | Du bist müde? Was genau ist los? | You’re tired? What exactly is going on? |
| Seit wann...? | Since when...? | Seit wann lernst du Deutsch? | Since when have you been learning German? |
| Mit wem...? | With whom...? | Mit wem gehst du ins Kino? | With whom are you going to the cinema? |
| Was denkst du? | What do you think? | Was denkst du über den Film? | What do you think about the movie? |
What does ’Was denkst du?’ mean in English?
What do you think?
'Was denkst du?' translates to 'What do you think?' and is used to ask for someone’s opinion.
Small Talk Topics
These are go-to topics for casual conversations. Use them to ask questions and share a little about yourself.
| German Topic | English | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobbys | Hobbies | Was sind deine Hobbys? | What are your hobbies? |
| Arbeit | Work | Was machst du beruflich? | What do you do for a living? |
| Familie | Family | Hast du Geschwister? | Do you have siblings? |
| Reisen | Travel | Wohin bist du zuletzt gereist? | Where did you travel last? |
| Essen | Food | Was isst du gern? | What do you like to eat? |
| Musik | Music | Welche Musik hörst du? | What music do you listen to? |
| Wetter | Weather | Wie ist das Wetter heute? | How is the weather today? |
Common Expressions
Use these phrases to keep the conversation natural, show interest, and avoid awkward silences.
| German Expression | English | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ach so! | Oh, I see! | Ich kann heute nicht kommen. — Ach so! | I can’t come today. — Oh, I see! |
| Das stimmt. | That’s true. | Deutsch ist schwer. — Das stimmt. | German is hard. — That’s true. |
| Genau! | Exactly! | Ich mag Pizza. — Genau! | I like pizza. — Exactly! |
| Keine Ahnung. | No idea. | Wann beginnt der Film? — Keine Ahnung. | When does the movie start? — No idea. |
| Übrigens… | By the way… | Übrigens, hast du die Hausaufgaben? | By the way, do you have the homework? |
| Ehrlich gesagt… | Honestly… | Ehrlich gesagt, bin ich müde. | Honestly, I’m tired. |
| Das ist interessant. | That’s interesting. | Du warst in Japan? — Das ist interessant. | You were in Japan? — That’s interesting. |
Building a conversation is about curiosity and connection. Use these questions and phrases to keep the dialogue flowing naturally in German. Viel Erfolg!
How do you say ’Honestly...’ in German when starting to share a personal opinion?
Ehrlich gesagt...
'Ehrlich gesagt...' means 'Honestly...' in German. It is used to preface a truthful or candid statement.
Flashcards (1 of 28)
- English: Who?
- Example (English): Who is your teacher?
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
