German grammar
All the question words
Ask questions using all the question words.
From the scene Fragen und Antworten (Questions and answers)
In short
Question words start with w and the verb comes straight after. Wer is who, wo is where.
- what / who was / wer
- where / when wo / wann
- how / why wie / warum
- which dinner? welches Abendessen?
- how do you know? woher wissen Sie das?
Your turn
Which one goes with where / when?
Options: was / wer · wie / warum · wo / wann
Show answer
where / when → wo / wann
How it works
German question words all start with w: was, wer, wo, wann, wie, warum (and welche / welches = which, woher = from where).
Good to know
The verb comes straight after them: Wo wohnt Javi?
Good to know
And “how do you know?” is woher wissen Sie das?, never “wie wissen Sie das?”.
what / who was / wer
Elena
Wer ist dein Freund, Nuria?
Who is your friend, Nuria?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) ist dein Freund, Nuria?
Options: Wer · Wann · Warum
Show answer
Elena
Wer ist dein Freund, Nuria?
Who is your friend, Nuria?
where / when wo / wann
Elena
Wo wohnt Javi?
Where does Javi live?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) wohnt Javi?
Options: Was · Warum · Wo
Show answer
Elena
Wo wohnt Javi?
Where does Javi live?
how / why wie / warum
Nuria
Ein Abendessen mit Javi? Warum nicht?
A dinner with Javi? Why not?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Ein Abendessen mit Javi? (blank) nicht?
Options: Wann · Warum · Was
Show answer
Nuria
Ein Abendessen mit Javi? Warum nicht?
A dinner with Javi? Why not?
which dinner? welches Abendessen?
Your turn
What goes with welches Abendessen??
Options: what / who · where / when · which dinner?
Show answer
welches Abendessen? → which dinner?
how do you know? woher wissen Sie das?
Javi
Woher wissen Sie das? Das ist eine Überraschung!
How do you know that? It's a surprise!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)? Das ist eine Überraschung!
Options: Was · Wann · Woher wissen Sie das
Show answer
Javi
Woher wissen Sie das? Das ist eine Überraschung!
How do you know that? It's a surprise!
Watch out
Wer means WHO and wo means WHERE, so don't let English “where” trick you into wer.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| what / who | was / wer |
|---|---|
| where / when | wo / wann |
| how / why | wie / warum |
| which dinner? | welches Abendessen? |
| how do you know? | woher wissen Sie das? |
More lines from the story
- NuriaEr wohnt hier in der Nähe.He lives near here.
- ElenaIch bin immer hier. Und ich komme auch zum Abendessen!I'm always here. And I'm coming to the dinner too!