When you learn a new language, you often might feel a bit insecure. You only know a limited number of words and you have only a sketchy understanding of grammar. You point to things and ask “Was ist das?” (vAs ist dAs? – What is that?) or ask “Was bedeutet das?” (vAs be-doy-tuht dAs? – What does that mean?). Somehow you resemble a child who is just learning his mother language. So, try to be a child again and ask as many questions as necessary. Even someone with a limited knowledge of a language can convey a broad range of meaning. With the questions or questions words below you can get detailed information about what you would like to know.
|
German
|
Pronunciation
|
English
|
| mit wem |
mit vem |
with whom |
| um wieviel Uhr |
oom vee-feel ooR |
at what time |
| von wem |
fon vem |
of/about/from whom |
| wann |
vAn |
when |
| warum/wieso/weshalb |
va-Rum/vee-soh/ves-hAlp |
why |
| was |
vAs |
what |
| wer |
ver |
who |
| wie |
vee |
how |
| wie lange |
vee lAn-ge |
how long |
| wieviel |
vee-feel |
how much; how many |
| wo |
voh |
where |
| woher |
voh-heR |
from where |
| wohin |
voh-hin |
where (to) |
| womit/mit was |
voh-mit/mit vAs |
with what |
| worüber |
voh-Rüh-buhR |
about what |
| wovon/ von was |
voh-fon/ fon vAs |
of/about/from what |
| zu wem |
tsoo vem |
to whom |
Keep in mind
The interrogative pronouns (question word) wen and wem are used with a preposition to refer only to persons. The interrogative was refers to things and ideas.
You can also ‘create’ question words with “wo-” in order to ask for objects. You simply add the prefix wo- to a preposition, e.g. wo+für = wofür (for what) or wo+mit = womit (with what). Alternatively, you can ask “für was” instead of “wofür” and “mit was” instead of “womit”. Both are synonyms each.
Example sentences:
| A: |
Wofür ist das Geschenk? / Für was ist das Geschenk? (For what is the present for?) |
| B: |
Das ist für Doreens Geburtstag. (It is for Doreen’s birthday.) |
| A: |
Wofür lernst du? / Für was lernst du? (For what are you studying?) |
| B: |
Ich lerne für den Test nächste Woche. (I’m studying for the test next week.) |
| A: |
Womit kochst du das Essen? / Mit was kochst … (With what do you cook the meal?) |
| B: |
Ich koche das Essen mit diesen Zutaten. (I cook the meal with these ingredients.) |
| A: |
Womit bereitest du dich auf den Test vor? (With what do you prepare yourself for the test?) |
| B: |
Ich bereite mich mit diesem Buch auf den Test vor. (I prepare myself for the test with this book.) |
Comments:
Diana Anggajaya:
Ich danke Ihnen für die Informationen. Ich lerne gerade Deutsch. Deutsch finde ich schwer, aber es gibt viel spaß. :))