German Question Words
Almost every German question word begins with w, which makes them easy to spot. The word order rule that follows them is the same every time.
The question words
-
wer
vehr
-
who
Looks like where, means who
-
was
vas
-
what
-
wo
voh
-
where
-
wann
van
-
when
-
warum
vah-ROOM
-
why
-
wie
vee
-
how
-
welcher
VEL-kher
-
which
Becomes welche or welches to match the noun
-
wie viel
vee FEEL
-
how much
-
wie viele
vee FEE-leh
-
how many
Three that English needs two words for
-
woher
voh-HEHR
-
where from
Woher kommst du? Where are you from?
-
wohin
voh-HIN
-
where to
Wohin gehst du? Where are you going?
-
wieso
vee-ZOH
-
how come
A softer, more casual why
The verb always comes second
Start with the question word, put the verb immediately after it, then the person: Wo wohnst du? Where do you live?
German has no equivalent of the English do in questions. Was machst du is literally what make you, and adding a word for do would be wrong.
The same order holds however long the question gets: Warum lernst du Deutsch? Why are you learning German?
- Wie heißt du?What is your name?
- Wann kommt der Zug?When does the train come?
- Wie viel kostet das?How much does that cost?
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