Questions in German table with examples. Interrogative sentences in German

For parts of the article, we dealt with the word order in an ordinary declarative sentence. Well, let's move on - and see what differences await us when forming an interrogative sentence.

In German, questions can be asked in four different ways:

1. General question.

2. An additional question.

3. An alternative question.

4. Combinations of questions.

Let's take a look at all four ways.

1. General question , this is, simply put, any question without a question word.

As a hint, you can use the fact that such questions can be answered "yes" or "no". But, as a rule, we ourselves rarely answer briefly, but try to give a more complete answer. If we have a question without an interrogative word, the word order is built quite simply:

If we are dealing with a compound predicate (see Word Order in a Sentence, Part 1), then the variable part V1 is put in first place, and the unchanged V2 remains at the end of the sentence.

If the sentence contains a negation of the action (expressed nothing), then nicht is set:

At the end (in the case of a single verb)

Before V2(in the case of a compound predicate).

Conclusion: The formation of the question does not affect the position of negation!

Ich gehe nothing. - Gehst du nothing?

2. Additional question, as the name implies, includes an addition, clarification, more detailed information.

That is "who", "what", "why", "where" and so on. It's simple question with a question word, and it cannot be answered simply with "yes" or "no".

For example, When will you come? What table is this?

They start with the letter W and are called W-words in German. The word order in the question is as follows: Interrogative word --> 1st place, verb --> 2nd place, subject --> 3rd place, and then everything else.

If the sentence contains a compound predicate, then the question word will be in the first place, V1- on the second, the subject - on the third, and V2- at the end of the sentence.

For example: Wie kann ich heute arbeiten ?

3. The third version of the question is an alternative question.

The questioner asks questions such as:

You're coming, aren't you? It's a table, right? Am I going for a walk or not?

These questions are expressed through the union "or" - ODER. ODER can be used both in the middle of a sentence to connect questions, for example: Gehst du spazieren oder gehst du nicht? - Are you going for a walk or not? and at the end of the question, in which case ODER will be translated as "isn't it". At the same time, ODER does not affect the word order in the question in any way (it is separated from the question by a comma and stands at the end):

Gehst du spazieren, oder? - You're going for a walk, aren't you?

Ist das ein Tisch, oder? - It's a table, isn't it?

It is worth noting that this form of posing a question is very common in colloquial speech, it is very easy to use.

• Let's compare for clarity all three types of questions and their negatives:

One of the main tasks in learning an instoran language is the ability to set interrogative sentences, which in turn are of different types. This training material contains the basic rules of this topic.

If you have questions about how to ask questions in German, then leave your messages on the talk page of this article.

General rules

The word order in any German sentence depends directly on the type of the sentence itself. Declarative, negative and interrogative sentences are formed according to certain rules of German grammar. There are several ways to ask questions in German. This determines the presence of several types of interrogative sentences, they can be divided into two main groups:

• Formed with a question word;
• Sentences in the formation of which, interrogative words are not used.

These groups, in turn, include several varieties.

Types of interrogative sentences

1. General issues These are questions that require a “yes” or “no” answer. Certain interrogative words and expressions are not involved in their formation.
2. Special questions- for their formation, the presence of a question word is necessary. They are assigned to one or another member of the sentence.
3. Alternative questions set when there is a choice between two or more options.
4. Separation questions- are asked in order to express doubt on a particular occasion. It consists of two parts separated by a comma.
5. Questions with denial. These types of interrogative sentences include negation. It can be confirmed or refuted in the answer. For this, certain words are used.

General questions in German

Such questions require an affirmative or negative answer. The first place in such a sentence is occupied by the predicate. Question words are not used. Response remarks must begin with the words “yes” (“ja”) or no (“nein”).

Word order in the formation of a general question Verb-predicate + subject + other members of the sentence.

Examples of general questions:

• Anna komt am Abend. - Kommt Anna am Abend? (Anna will come in the evening. - Will Anna come in the evening?).
• Sie sind aus Rom. - Sind Sie aus Rom? (They are from Rome. Are they from Rome?).
• Kommen Sie aus Oslo? - Ja, ich komme aus Oslo. (Are you from Oslo? - Yes, I am from Oslo).
• Wohnen Sie in Berlin? - Nein, ich wohne in Hamburg. (Do you live in Berlin? - No, I live in Hamburg).

If the predicate in the sentence is compound, then its variable part is placed at the beginning of the sentence, and the unchanged part ends the question. Examples:

• Gehst du heute spazieren? - Ja, ich gehe heute spazieren. (Are you going for a walk today? - Yes, I'm going for a walk today.)
• Haben Sie morgen viel zu tun? - Nein, ich habe morgen nicht viel zu tun. (Do you have a lot to do tomorrow? - No, I have a little to do tomorrow.)

Exceptions:
If there is a negative in the sentence to which the general question is asked, then it is transferred to the end of the question. Example:

• Ich gehe nothing. - Gehst du nothing? (I'm not going. - You're not going?)

Special questions

A similar version of the question is asked to one of the members of the sentence using a suitable interrogative word. It begins a sentence, and can be expressed by an interrogative pronoun, an adverb. The so-called "W-Fragen" are used, such as

• Was? - What?
• Wer? - Who?
• wie? - How?

Read more about these question words in a separate article.

It is necessary to observe the word order in special questions as follows: Interrogative word + predicate + subject + other members of the sentence. Examples of special questions:

• Wie heissen Sie? - Ich heisse Anna. (What is your name - My name is Anna.)
• Wohnen sie? - Siewohnen in Kassel. (Where do they live? - They live in Kassel.)
• Woher bist du? - Ich bin aus Deutschland. (Where are you from? - I'm from Germany.)
• Wo liegt Bern? - In der Switzerland. (Where is Bern? - In Switzerland.)
• Was macht er in Berlin? - Erstudiert Deutsch hier. (What is he doing in Berlin? - He is studying German here).

Exceptions:
If there is a compound predicate in the sentence to which it is necessary to ask a special question, then the word order will be as follows:
Interrogative word + changeable part of the predicate + subject + minor members of the sentence + invariable part of the predicate. Examples:

• Wann willst du heute arbeiten? - Ich will am Abend arbeiten. (When do you want to work today? - I want to work in the evening.)

Some interrogative words combined with nouns can form interrogative expressions. The most commonly used among them are:

• Was fur ein (eine)? - translated into Russian “what? which? Which?". Used when the interlocutor is interested in the properties of objects. Example: Was für eine Tasche hast du gekauft? What bag did you buy?
• Wie lange? - how long? Example: Wie lange warst du in Deutschland? – How long have you been in Germany?
• Wie oft? - how often? Example: Wie oft fahren Sie nach Deutschland? – How often do you go to Germany?
• Wie alt? - How many? (when talking about age) Example: Wie alt ist deine Mutter? - How old is your mother?

Alternative questions

These questions are provided for situations where there is a choice between several events, objects, preferences. Similar questions are formed with the help of the union “oder”, which is translated into Russian as “or”. This union is placed in the middle of an interrogative sentence. Examples of alternative questions in German

• Wohnter in Berlin oder in Hamburg? - Does he live in Berlin or Hamburg?
• Heissen Sie Monika oder Barbara? - Are you Monica or Barbara?
• Willst du Chocolade or Marmelade? - Do you want chocolate or jam?

In everyday communication, one can often hear questions in which “oder” is placed at the end of a sentence and separated from the general question by a comma. In such situations, “oder” will be translated into Russian as “isn't it”. The order of the words in the question does not change. Examples:

• Trinkt Anna Milch - Anna drinks milk, doesn't she?
• Hat sie eine Schwester, oder? - She has a sister, doesn't she?
• Wohnen Sie hier, oder? - You live here, don't you?

Separation questions

They are affirmative-interrogative sentences. They are characterized by a direct word order. An affirmative answer is expected. Such questions are translated into Russian with a combination of “isn’t it?”, “Isn’t it?”.
The word order in the disjunctive questions will be as follows Subject + predicate + other members of the sentence + comma + nicht war? Examples:

• Sie wohnen in Berlin, nicht war? - They live in Berlin, don't they?
• Erist Student, nothing war? - He is a student, isn't he?
• Wir warten Peter, nich war? - We're waiting for Peter, aren't we?
• Otto studiert in München, nicht war? - Otto studies in Munich, doesn't he?

Questions with denial

Some German interrogative sentences contain negation. In response to such a question, confirmation or refutation of the stated denial is supposed. For the correct formation of the answer, the word "doch" is used. Examples of negative questions

• Möchtest du nicht nach Hause gehen? (Don't you want to go home?) Doch! Ich möchte nach Hause gehen. (No (On ​​the contrary), I want to go home.) Nein, ich möchte nicht nach hause gehen. (No, I don't want to go home).
• Hat er keinen Computer? (Doesn't he have a computer?) - Doch! Er hat einen. (No, he has a computer.) Nein, er hat keinen Computer. (No, he doesn't have a computer.)
• Haben Sie die Arbeit nicht gemacht? (You didn't do the job?) - Doch! Ich habe die Arbeit gemacht. (On the contrary! I have done the work.) Nein, ich habe die Arbeit nicht gemacht. (No, I didn't do the job.)

So using " doch ” in such questions refutes the negation that they contain. In these cases, “doch” can be translated into Russian as “opposite”, “no”, “yes no”.

In German, there are such types of interrogative sentences that combine several questions. The words in each question will be arranged according to its type. Such questions in one sentence are separated by a comma. Examples:

• Konnten Sie bitte sagen, wo ist ein Geschäft? - Can you please tell me where the shop is?

Thus, in one sentence, the general question “Könnten Sie bitte sagen?” and the special question "Wo ist ein Geshäft?".

The rules for the formation of different types of interrogative sentences are not a complex section in German grammar. In order to correctly build a dialogue, it is enough to remember the word order in a particular question and the most common interrogative words. This knowledge will help you to communicate competently with native speakers and get answers to all your questions.

Conclusion

We hope that this educational material helps you understand what and how to ask questions in German. If there are any additions to the article or questions regarding this topic, then you can ask them in a specially created topic of our forum.

Other articles about English grammar

German grammar
General rules	Formation of sentences Articles Plural of nouns Cases Prepositions

The main topics that you need to master in German include options for constructing various types of sentences - simple and complex. The procedure and rules in some cases are similar to the Russian language, but sometimes they are different.

When learning German, you should not rely on our grammar, because. Russia and Germany are completely different countries and the language developed differently here. In order not to learn something wrong, start learning each topic from scratch, without projections into your native language.

General rules: German questions and their construction

The interrogative sentence is one of the simplest topics in German. In order to learn how to correctly compose questions and answer them, you will need to spend a little time. Questions with answers are an important topic, because it is she who helps to start and maintain a conversation with the interlocutor, get the necessary information from him and convey her own.

All interrogative sentences in German are divided into two large groups:

No question word: the corresponding interrogative word is missing in the sentence and the verb is moved to the first place.

Bist du die Schülerin? - Are you a student?

Fährst du heute nach München? - Are you going to Munich today?

With a question word: the verb takes second place; The first one is a question word.

Was machst du da? - What are you doing over there?

Wohin fahren wir? - Where are we going?

Let's analyze the word order on the first example:

In German, questions in both cases can be asked in relation to any member of the sentence - the subject, the predicate, the definition, the object, the circumstance, the whole part of the sentence, or the entire sentence.

How to ask the right question? Examples with translation and case endings

In order to learn how to ask questions correctly in German, you need to learn the basic question words.

Wer? - Who?

Wer sind Sie? - Who you are?

Was? - What?

Was sind Sie? - What is your occupation? (What do you do?)

wie? - How?

Wie heissen Sie? - What is your name?

Wann? - When?

Wann kommt der Zug? – When does the train arrive?

Wo? – Where?

Wohnen Sie? – Where do you live?

Woher? - where?

Woher kommen Sie? - Where are you from?

Wohin? - Where?

Wohin fahren Sie? - Where are you going?

Warum? - Why?

Warum sind Sie gekommen

General, special, indirect and other types of questions

General issues

Interrogative sentences are built in order to get an answer from the interlocutor - positive or negative ("yes - ja" or "no - nein"). Interrogative words are not used, the predicate comes first (it is the verb or its conjugated part). The subject is put in second place.

The remaining members of the proposal are located in their places, as usual.

Example:

– Freust du dich schon auf das Wiedersehen mit deinen Schulfreunden?

(Are you already excited about the upcoming meeting with your school friends?)

Ja, ich freue mich auf das Wiedersehen mit meinen Schulfreunden.

(Yes, I am looking forward to the upcoming meeting with my school friends)

Special question type

A special type of questions refers to a specific member of the sentence. In the first place is the interrogative word, which is expressed by the corresponding pronoun or adverb. Then follows the predicate (if a compound predicate is used, then its conjugated part).

Example:

– Welche Schlussfolgerungen habt ihr in diem Zusammenhang gemacht? (What conclusions did you draw in this regard?

negative questions

Negative questions contain negation - they can usually be answered in the negative:

Hast du diese Radiosendung noch nicht gehört?

(Have you heard this radio show yet?

– Nein, ich habe diese Radiosendung noch nicht gehört.

(No, I haven't heard this radio show yet)

– Doch, ich habe diese Radiosendung bereits gehört.

(No, I have already heard this radio program)

Affirmative and interrogative questions

Affirmative-interrogative questions contain a direct word order, when the subject is written first, then the predicate and other members of the sentence. This type assumes an affirmative answer:

– Du willst morgen mit deinem Vater fahren, nicht wahr?

(You want to go with your father tomorrow, don't you?)

indirect questions

Indirect questions are built into the sentence. The predicate or its conjugated part is placed at the end. The general structure of a sentence looks like this: a question word, a subject, an object and a verb:

– Wann hat er Zeit? (When does he have time?

– Ich weiß nicht, wann er Zeit hat. (I don't know when he has time)

– Was hat sie gesagt? (What she said?)

– Ich sage dir nicht, was sie gesagt hat. (I won't tell you what she said)

In the absence of a question word, an indirect question is introduced using the union ob.

– Kommt sie morgen? (Will she come tomorrow?

- Er fragt, ob sie morgen kommt. (He asks if she will come tomorrow)

The process of constructing interrogative (question) sentences (prepositions) in German is quite simple. There are two types of questions. preposition: with a question word ( die Ergänzungsfragen, die Wortfragen) and without the question word ( die Entscheidungsfragen, die Satzfragen).

Let's analyze the question. suggestion no question words (die Satzfragen) .

To begin with, let's give an example of a model for constructing a simple declarative sentence:

Subject + Predicate + secondary members of the preposition.

For example:

Ich sitze heute zu Hause den ganzen Tag. I am at home all day today.

Question model offers no question word next:

Predicate + subject + secondary members of the preposition.

For example:

Sitzest du heute zu Hause den ganzen Tag? Are you at home all day today?

Thus, the order of precedence of the predicate and the subject changes, the remaining members of the preposition. remain in the same order as in a simple declarative sentence.

To these questions, the questioner can only receive a positive or negative answer (answer).

With a positive response the question uses either the short word convention ja:

or full answer:

— Studierst du an der Moskauer Pädagogischen Universität? (Are you studying at the Moscow Pedagogical University?)

— Ja, ich studiere an der Moskauer Pädagogischen Universität. (Yes, I study at the Moscow Pedagogical University).

When answering a question in the negative, the negative word nein is used. At the same time, Rev. constructed in the same way as with a positive answer:

— Studierst du an der Moskauer Pädagogischen Universität? (Are you studying at the Moscow Pedagogical University?)

- Nein (No),

or the full answer is also possible:

— Studierst du an der Moskauer Pädagogischen Universität? (Are you studying at the Moscow Pedagogical University?)

— Nein, ich studiere an der Moskauer Pädagogischen Universität nicht. Ich studiere an der Moskauer Staatlichen Universität (No, I don't study at Moscow Pedagogical University. I study at Moscow State University).

The question is built somewhat differently. suggestion, if there is a question word.

Question. words: wer (who), was (what), wo (where), wohin (where), woher (where), wann (when), wessen (whose), and etc.

In these proposals in the first place is the question. word, on the second - the predicate, on the third - the subject, after it - the remaining members of the sentence, i.e.:

Question. word + Predicate + Subject + secondary members of the preposition.

Note. If the subject answers the question wer (who) or was (what), in question. suggestion it is not used.

For example:

Ich sitze heute zu Hause den ganzen Tag.

To this suggestion it is possible to ask four questions with a question word.

• Wer sitzt heute den ganzen Tag? Who is sitting at home all day today?
• Wo sitzest du heute den ganzen Tag? Where are you sitting all day today?
• Wann sitzest du den ganzen Tag? When do you sit at home all day?
• Wie lange sitzest du heute zu Hause? How long have you been sitting at home today?

A question with an interrogative word can be answered either briefly or more fully, depending on what information the questioner wants to receive.

For example:

• Was willst du trinken?
• Wein.

Wie gross ist deine Familie?

Wir sind drei: mein Mann, meine Tochter und ich.

Speaking of questions suggestion in German, another type of sentence follows - these are the so-called affirmative-interrogative sentences (die Bestätigungsfragen).

Word order in these sentences. does not differ from narrative, however, at the end of the sentence. after the comma, the set phrase nicht wahr (isn't it) is put; offer data. suggest an affirmative answer:

• Du hast seinen neuen Film schon gesehen, nicht wahr? (You've already seen his new movie, haven't you?)
• Ja, aber ich wurde von ihm nicht beeindruckt. (Yes, but he didn't impress me).
• Sie wohnen in dieser Stadt seit zwei Jahren, nicht wahr? (You've been living in this city for two years, haven't you?)
• Ja, genau. (Yes exactly).

Almost every conversation can not do without questions. And this is regardless of the language. This, at first glance, a simple sentence has a very important function - the extraction of information. Questions are the driving force behind human development.

Interrogative (question) sentences (prepositions) in German are divided into two types - question. suggestion with an interrogative word and interrogative sentences without an interrogative word.

In German, there are such questions. words: wer - who, was - what, wie - how, what, what, what, wo - where, wohin - where, woher - from where, wann - when, warum - why, wessen - whose, wem - to whom, wen - whom.

Question. suggestion with questions words are built in this way: vopr. word, predicate (its conjugated part), subject, other members of the sentence and, if any, the non-conjugated part of the predicate:

• We ist das? - Who is this?
• Was hat euch am besten gefallen? – What did you like the most?
• Wie fühlen Sie sich? - How are you feeling?
• Wo habt ihr die Elefanten gesehen? Where did you see elephants?
• Wohin reist ihr in diem Sommer? Where are you traveling this summer?
• Woher kommen Sie? - Where are you from?
• Wann kommt er aus Kenia zurück? When does he return from Kenya?
• Warum sind sie so spat gekommen? Why did they arrive so late?
• Wessen Buch ist das? - Whose book is this?
• Wem muss er helfen? Whom should he help?
• Wen habt ihr um Rat gebeten? Whom did you ask for help?

There are questions. suggestion in German, in which questions the word together with the noun form an interrogative expression:

1. wie viel or wie viele when asked about a specific number. Wie viel is followed by a singular noun without an article, and after wie viele a plural noun without an article: Wie viele Stunden seid ihr gewandert? How many hours did you travel? Wie viel Geld brauchst du? – How much money do you need?
2. welcher, -e, -es, Pl. –e when asking about a specific person or thing, when talking about choosing from different people or things: Welches Hotel hat euch am besten gefallen? – Which hotel did you like more?
3. was fur ein, -e, -; Pl. when asked about the property of a person or object: Was für ein Zimmer habt ihr genommen? What room did you take?

Question. the expression also forms with the words wie: lange - long, oft - often, alt - old, dick - thick, groß - big, hoch - high, lang - long, schwer - heavy, tief - deep and others:

• Wie lange waren Sie in Italy? – How long were you in Italy?
• Wie oft besucht er seine Oma? How often does he visit his grandmother?
• Wie hoch cannst du springen? - How high can you jump?
• Wie alt bist du? - How old are you?

Question. suggestion no question words are built in this way: the predicate (its conjugated part), the subject, other members of the sentence and, if any, the non-conjugated part of the predicate:

• Kennst du diesen Mann? - Do you know this man?
• Habt ihr mich nicht verstanden? - You did not understand me?
• Darf ich raus gehen? - May I go out?

These questions are usually answered yes or no:

Cannst du mir helfen? - Ja, natural. - Can you help me? Yes, sure.

chlafst du schon? – Nein, ich sehe noch den Film. - Are you already asleep? No, I'm still watching the movie.

Source: https://deutsch-sprechen.ru/question-sentences/