W-questions

A1 · Beginner · Basics

The rule

Question word first, verb second.

How it works

W-questions use a question word: wer (who), was (what), wo (where), wann (when), wie (how), warum (why), woher (where from) and wohin (where to). The question word takes the first position and the verb takes the second. The subject comes after the verb, as in a statement with the question word moved to the front.

When to use it

Ask open questions with a question word such as wer, was, wo, wann or wie, followed by the verb.

Use cases

Asking for a place: Wo wohnst du?
Asking for a time: Wann beginnt der Film?
Asking for a reason: Warum lernst du Deutsch?

Examples

Wo wohnst du? – Where do you live?
Was machst du am Wochenende? – What are you doing at the weekend?
Wie heißt du? – What is your name?
Woher kommen Sie? – Where are you from? (formal)

Common mistake

Putting the verb after the question word and the subject, as in "Wo du wohnst?"

Memory tip

Question word + verb + subject works for most questions: "Wo wohnst du?"