W-Fragen

W-word, verb, subject

The verb always comes right after the question word — position 2, like in every German sentence. No 'do' needed.

• Wo wohnst du? – Ich wohne in Köln. Where do you live? – I live in Cologne.
• Wann kommt der Zug? When does the train come?

English adds 'do/does' to ask a question; German never does. 'Wo tust du wohnen' is not German.

Quick check

Which question is correct German?

wo, wohin, woher — three kinds of where

wo = where (at): Wo bist du? wohin = where to: Wohin gehst du? woher = where from: Woher kommst du? Each has its own answer word: hier / dorthin / aus.

• Wo ist die Bank? – Dort. Where is the bank? – There.
• Wohin fährst du? – Nach Berlin. Where are you going? – To Berlin.
• Woher kommst du? – Aus Spanien. Where are you from? – From Spain.

Quick check

fliegt ihr im Sommer? – Nach Spanien.

wie does a lot of work

wie = how, but also: wie alt (how old), wie viel (how much), wie viele (how many), wie spät (what time), wie lange (how long), wie heißt (what is … called).

• Wie heißt du? Wie alt bist du? What's your name? How old are you?
• Wie viel kostet das? Wie spät ist es? How much does it cost? What time is it?

Quick check

ist dein Bruder? – Er ist zwölf.

Yes/no questions start with the verb; doch answers a negative one

Without a W-word, the verb goes first: Kommst du? Answer ja or nein — but if the question was negative, answer doch to contradict it.

• Kommst du morgen? – Ja. / Nein. Are you coming tomorrow? – Yes. / No.
• Kommst du nicht? – Doch! (Yes, I am!) Aren't you coming? – Yes, I am!

Quick check

Hast du keine Zeit? – , ich habe Zeit!

Words · tap to hear

The words you need

• wer who
• was what
• wo where (at)
• wohin where to
• woher where from
• wann when
• wie how
• warum why
• wie viel / wie viele how much / how many
• wie alt how old
• wie spät what time
• doch yes (contradicting a negative question)

Listen

Play it, then pick what you heard.

In context

Hear it in a real exchange

Who is that? – That's Paula. – Where is she from? – From Spain. – And where does she live now? – In Hamburg. – How old is she? – She's nineteen. – Isn't she coming today? – Yes she is, at eight.

Spot the mistake

Which one is right?

Spot the mistake

Which one is right?

Spot the mistake

Which one is right?

Cheat sheet

What to take with you

• W-word, verb, subject
• wo, wohin, woher — three kinds of where
• wie does a lot of work
• Yes/no questions start with the verb; doch answers a negative one