Question Words

1. Was?

   What?

   Usage

   The shortest question word; pair it with pointing

2. Wo?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; add a place name and you are understood

3. Wann?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times or opening times

4. Wer?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, e.g. who is in charge

5. Warum?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason, e.g. a delay or a refusal

6. Wie?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks for a method, including how to get somewhere

7. Wie viele?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people

   Grammar Note

   For countable things; use "Wie viel?" for amounts

8. Wie viel kostet das?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The key price question, in markets and shops alike

9. Welcher?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to pick from, or point at, a set of options

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; feminine "Welche?", neuter "Welches?"

10. Was ist das?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product and ask what it is

11. Wo ist die Toilette?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions on any trip

    Grammar Note

    "Toilette" is feminine; signs usually read "WC"

12. Wie spät ist es?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time, handy when making a connection

13. Haben Sie das?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks about stock or availability; name the item first

    Grammar Note

    Insert the item: "Haben Sie eine Karte?"

14. Geht das?

    Is that possible?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible or allowed

    Grammar Note

    A colloquial way to ask if something is possible; "Ist das möglich?" is more formal

15. Kostet das etwas?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Check whether luggage storage, Wi-Fi, etc. costs money

16. Ist das kostenlos?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirms something is free, e.g. samples or a map

17. Ist das in Ordnung?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks for permission; pair it with pointing

18. Ist das nicht erlaubt?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being turned down

19. Geht es Ihnen gut?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing — a different role from "Ist das in Ordnung?" (asking permission)

    Grammar Note

    "Ihnen" is the dative of formal "Sie"; with friends say "Geht's dir gut?"

20. Wirklich?

    Really?

    Usage

    A short reaction confirming something surprising

21. Sind Sie sicher?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Presses for confirmation of a fact — more formal than "Wirklich?"

22. Woher kommen Sie?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

23. Wie heißen Sie?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

    Grammar Note

    Uses formal "Sie"; with friends say "Wie heißt du?"

24. Wie alt sind Sie?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking someone's age at a first meeting can come across as intrusive in German-speaking countries; better saved until you know them a little

25. Dürfen wir zusammen ein Foto machen?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks for permission to take a photo together

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