All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| fragen | ask a question | everyday questions and requests for information | accusative person; nach + dative; hat gefragt |
| befragen | question or interview someone | surveys, interviews, investigations | inseparable; accusative person; zu/nach + dative |
| nachfragen | follow up; ask again or seek details | unclear answers and information checks | separable; bei + dative; hat nachgefragt |
| hinterfragen | critically examine underlying assumptions | arguments, rules and accepted explanations | inseparable; accusative object; hat hinterfragt |
fragen
Meaning and usage: Fragen covers ordinary information-seeking. You can name the person, the requested information, or a question clause. It does not automatically mean conducting an interview or doubting what someone says.
Grammar: Regular, nonseparable: fragt, fragte, hat gefragt. The person is accusative: jemanden fragen. For requested information, use nach + dative; a clause can follow ob, wie or warum.
Ich frage den Fahrer nach der nächsten Haltestelle.
I ask the driver about the next stop.
befragen
Meaning and usage: Befragen presents the person as the focus of questioning. It often suggests a planned or detailed set of questions, but it is not restricted to police interrogations. A researcher can befragen participants about their experience.
Grammar: Regular and inseparable: befragt, befragte, hat befragt. Use an accusative person. A topic can follow zu + dative, nach + dative or über + accusative, depending on the wording.
Die Forscherin befragt die Teilnehmenden zu ihren Lerngewohnheiten.
The researcher questions the participants about their learning habits.
nachfragen
Meaning and usage: Nachfragen is useful when an answer is missing, unclear or needs checking. It can also mean making an initial inquiry, so it does not always require that you personally asked once before.
Grammar: Regular and separable: fragt nach, fragte nach, hat nachgefragt. Say bei jemandem nachfragen, with dative. A topic can be expressed with nach + dative or a question clause.
Ich frage morgen im Büro nach, ob der Termin bestätigt ist.
I will check with the office tomorrow whether the appointment is confirmed.
hinterfragen
Meaning and usage: Hinterfragen goes beyond obtaining an answer: it explores whether the foundations or reasoning hold up. It does not necessarily reject the claim. You may question a rule and conclude that it is justified.
Grammar: Regular and inseparable: hinterfragt, hinterfragte, hat hinterfragt. Usually takes an accusative object such as eine Annahme or eine Entscheidung. Do not split hinter- from the verb.
Im Seminar hinterfragen wir die Annahmen des Modells.
In the seminar, we critically examine the model's assumptions.
Overlap and context
Fragen and befragen can describe the same interaction, with befragen placing more emphasis on questioning the person. Nachfragen may be neutral and practical; hinterfragen emphasizes critical examination. These are useful tendencies rather than four completely separate boxes.
Common mistakes
- Use Ich frage ihn, not Ich frage ihm; the person with fragen is accusative.
- Do not use hinterfragen for every polite follow-up question.
- Only nachfragen separates here: Ich frage nach, but Ich hinterfrage die Regel.
Memory aid: Fragen asks; befragen questions someone; nachfragen follows up; hinterfragen looks behind the claim.
Try it
An email gives no starting time, so you contact the organiser for details. Which verb best names that follow-up?
Show the answer
nachfragen
You seek missing information rather than critically examining the organiser's assumptions.