Start with the sentence
Choose the information you need rather than treating every time answer as interchangeable. The full reference keeps the wider question-and-answer examples and their recordings.
Start with the answer you need
| Question expression | Look for | Example | Possible answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| wann | point in time | Wann beginnt der Kurs? | Am Mittwoch um neun. |
| wie lange | duration | Wie lange dauert die Fahrt? | Eine halbe Stunde. |
| wie oft | frequency | Wie oft trainierst du? | Zweimal pro Woche. |
Ask for the right kind of detail
Wann asks for a time point, wie lange for duration and wie oft for frequency. For the distinction between asking a time and connecting clauses, read wann, wenn and als. The separate wo, wohin and woher comparison explains location, destination and origin in detail. Use the chart here to choose the information category.
Practise with the context
Replace the blank or ask for the highlighted information. Decide which answer would make the question complete before opening the explanation.
- ___ dauert der Termin? – Zwanzig Minuten.
Show answer and reason
Wie lange dauert der Termin? Twenty minutes gives duration, not a starting time.
- ___ kommst du zum Kurs? – Dreimal pro Woche.
Show answer and reason
Wie oft kommst du zum Kurs? Three times per week is frequency. Wie would usually ask about manner or transport in this context.
Apply the pattern to a complete question or answer
Read the requested information category in each task. For the same course, Wann beginnt der Kurs? can seek a starting time, Wie lange dauert der Kurs? its duration, and Wie oft findet der Kurs statt? its frequency. Build the whole question; do not replace its verb and assume the meaning stays the same.
Try further contextual checks
1. Ask for the course starting time, expecting Um 14 Uhr. Use wann and beginnen.
Wann beginnt der Kurs?
Wann asks for the requested starting time; beginnt agrees with der Kurs.
2. Ask for duration: ___ dauert die Reise? – Zwei Wochen.
Wie lange dauert die Reise?
Zwei Wochen names the duration requested here. The question phrase is wie lange.
3. Ask how often the course takes place, rather than which weekday. Use wie oft, der Kurs and stattfinden; the answer is Jeden Freitag..
Wie oft findet der Kurs statt?
The requested category is frequency. The separable verb has findet and final statt.
4. A concert starts at 20:00 and lasts 90 minutes. Ask two questions, one with wann and one with wie lange; use beginnen and dauern.
Wann beginnt das Konzert? Wie lange dauert das Konzert?
The first asks for the starting time; the second asks for duration. Both whole questions match their information goals.
Start with the topic overview
German question words: meanings, answers and practice · Find another grammar topic
Sources and further learning
Source links checked: .
Use this in your German practice
Browse grammar by topic or learning path
Try the examples and answer checks on this page. For a wider routine, explore Lingeva’s grammar, vocabulary and speaking practice. Available app features and plan allowances are explained on the plan page.