Interrogative pronouns in German
Interrogative pronouns are an essential part of any language, including German. They are used to ask questions and obtain specific information. In German, interrogative pronouns serve the same purpose. They help to introduce questions and inquire about various aspects such as people, things, places, time, manner, and reason.
Here are the most commonly used interrogative pronouns in German:
- Wer (Who): Used to inquire about people. Example: Wer ist das? (Who is that?)
- Was (What): Used to inquire about things. Example: Was ist das? (What is that?)
- Wo (Where): Used to inquire about places. Example: Wo bist du? (Where are you?)
- Wohin (Where to): Used to inquire about destinations. Example: Wohin gehst du? (Where are you going?)
- Woher (Where from): Used to inquire about origins. Example: Woher kommst du? (Where are you from?)
- Wann (When): Used to inquire about time. Example: Wann kommst du? (When are you coming?)
- Wie (How): Used to inquire about manner or condition. Example: Wie geht es dir? (How are you?)
- Warum (Why): Used to inquire about reasons. Example: Warum hast du das gemacht? (Why did you do that?)
By using these interrogative pronouns, you can form questions and gather specific information in German conversations. They are vital for effective communication and understanding in the language.
| Interrogative Pronoun | German Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Wer | Wer ist dein bester Freund? | Who is your best friend? |
| Was | Was machst du gerne in deiner Freizeit? | What do you like to do in your free time? |
| Wo | Wo wohnst du? | Where do you live? |
| Wohin | Wohin gehst du? | Where are you going? |
| Woher | Woher kommst du? | Where do you come from? |
| Wann | Wann hast du Geburtstag? | When is your birthday? |
| Wie | Wie heißt du? | What is your name? |
| Warum | Warum hast du das gemacht? | Why did you do that? |
| Welcher | Welcher Film gefällt dir am besten? | Which movie do you like the most? |
| Welche | Welche Farbe magst du? | Which color do you like? |
| Welches | Welches Buch liest du gerade? | Which book are you currently reading? |
| Welche(r/s) | Welche(r/s) von diesen Kleidern gefällt dir am besten? | Which one of these dresses do you like the most? |
| Wie viel(e) | Wie viel Geld hast du? | How much money do you have? |
| Wie lange | Wie lange dauert der Film? | How long does the movie last? |
| Wie oft | Wie oft gehst du ins Fitnessstudio? | How often do you go to the gym? |
| Wem | Wem hast du das Buch gegeben? | Whom did you give the book to? |
| Wessen | Wessen Auto ist das? | Whose car is that? |
| In welchem | In welchem Land bist du geboren? | In which country were you born? |
| Mit wem | Mit wem gehst du zum Konzert? | Who are you going to the concert with? |
| Von wem | Von wem hast du die Einladung bekommen? | Who did you receive the invitation from? |
