Start with the sentence
This lesson covers ordinary direct information questions. The question-word reference helps you choose what to ask; the spoken model table stays with its original recordings.
Start with the answer you need
Imagine arranging a class visit. A name needs wer or another person form; a date needs wann; a reason needs warum. A yes-or-no answer will not normally fill those gaps. Compare Kommt Nora? – Ja. with Wann kommt Nora? – Um zehn.. The second question asks for new information, not confirmation.
Keep the question phrase together
In an ordinary direct information question, the question expression comes first and the conjugated verb follows: Wann beginnt der Kurs?. A phrase can contain several words: Wie viele Stühle brauchen wir?. The entire phrase occupies the first position; the verb is not necessarily the second written word.
If the question expression is not the subject, the subject commonly follows the verb: Warum wartet Nora?. If it asks for the subject, do not add another subject: Wer wartet?. For a simple unknown subject, use third-person singular Wer kommt?. German does not add English do or does to this pattern. With a modal verb, keep the infinitive at the end: Was möchtest du trinken?. The word-order exercises give further practice.
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.
- Ask why Nora is waiting. Use warum / Nora / warten.
Show answer and reason
Warum wartet Nora? Put the question word first, the conjugated verb next and the subject after it.
Apply the pattern to a complete question or answer
Identify the whole question phrase before placing the verb. Wie viele Tassen stays together in Wie viele Tassen brauchen wir?. In a subject question such as Wer bringt die Bücher?, wer itself fills the subject role. With a modal verb, compare the conjugated verb and infinitive: Wann kannst du kommen?.
Try further contextual checks
1. Build an ordinary direct question: wie viele / brauchen / wir / Tassen.
Wie viele Tassen brauchen wir?
The three-word question phrase fills the first constituent position. Brauchen follows it; wir is the subject.
2. For Mara bringt die Bücher., ask for Mara using wer and keep bringt die Bücher.
Wer bringt die Bücher?
Wer replaces the subject Mara. Do not add another subject after the verb.
3. Arrange the direct question: wann / kannst / du / kommen.
Wann kannst du kommen?
Kannst is the conjugated modal verb after wann; kommen remains at the end.
4. Change this into an ordinary direct information question: Welche Sprache du sprichst?
Welche Sprache sprichst du?
Welche Sprache is the full question phrase. In the requested direct pattern the conjugated verb follows it, before du.
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German question words: meanings, answers and practice · Find another grammar topic
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