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A few German questions can help you ask for information and start a conversation. Use Sie for formal address, du for one person you address informally, and ihr for several people you address informally. The examples below identify these differences; keep the same form of address in a conversation.
Interrogative Questions
Are you looking for some information? Check out the questions that will get them talking.
“Where is the bathroom?” in German
Wo ist die Toilette?
When you got to go, you got to go. If you can’t learn how to use this phrase correctly, you may be in for some trouble.
| Wo ist die Toilette? | Where is the bathroom? |
| Sie ist dort drüben. | It’s over there. |
“Where are you from?” in German
Wo kommst du her?
This informal question can start a conversation. The formal version is Wo kommen Sie her?
| Wo kommst du her? | Where are you from? |
| Ich komme aus den Vereinigten Staaten. | I am from the United States. |
“Could you say that again, please?” in German
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
Even if you can understand German well, if you do not master this phrase it could lead to many awkward interactions. In case you missed what someone said and can’t ask them to repeat, the person may assume you don’t understand German at all! Try to avoid these missed connections with this useful question.
| Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? | Can you say that again, please? |
| Ja, gern. Ich spreche etwas langsamer. | Yes, gladly. I’ll speak a little more slowly. |
“What did you say?” in German
Was hast du gesagt?
This works in a similar fashion as the previous phrase. Much like the difference between the two in English, this is a more casual way to ask the person to repeat what they were saying.
| Was hast du gesagt? | What did you say? |
| Ich mag das Essen sehr! | I like the food a lot! |
“When does the bus leave?” in German
Wann fährt der Bus?
Use this question to ask when the bus leaves or runs. Um wie viel Uhr fährt der Bus ab? asks more specifically for its departure time.
| Wann fährt der Bus? | When does the bus leave? |
| Der Bus fährt um zehn Uhr ab. | The bus leaves at ten o’clock. |
“Since when have you been living here?” in German
Seit wann wohnst du hier?
This informal question asks when someone began living here. German uses the present tense with seit when the situation continues: Ich wohne seit zwei Jahren hier. — I have lived here for two years. If you miss the answer, ask the speaker to repeat it.
| Seit wann wohnst du hier? | Since when have you been living here? |
| Ich wohne schon mein ganzes Leben hier. | I have lived here my whole life. |
“Where did you buy your pants?” in German
Wo hast du deine Hose gekauft?
Some people just have nice pants and you got to get a pair of those fresh slacks for yourself. It can also serve as another useful addition to your newly acquired small talk arsenal. I mean, who doesn’t like to be complimented on their pants?
| Wo hast du deine Hose gekauft? | Where did you buy your pants? |
| Die Hose habe ich bei H&M gekauft. | I bought my pants at H&M. |
Yes or No questions
Questions straight to the point that get the job done.
“Are you hungry?” in German
Bist du hungrig?
Everyone’s got to eat. Why not enjoy a meal together? This is an essential phrase to make some friends or score some dates!
| Bist du hungrig? | Are you hungry? |
| Ja. Was möchtest du essen? | Yeah, what would you like to eat? |
“Are you kidding?” in German
Machst du Witze?
Use this informal question when something sounds like a joke. Spielen Sie mit mir? literally asks whether someone is playing with you; it is not a reliable translation of “Are you kidding?”
| Machst du Witze? | Are you kidding? |
| Nein, ich meine das ernst. | No, I’m being serious. |
“Are you going to the Cinema?” in German
Geht ihr ins Kino?
Geht ihr ins Kino? addresses a group informally. To ask one friend, say Gehst du ins Kino? The reply below invites one person to come along.
| Geht ihr ins Kino? | Are you going to the cinema? |
| Ja, willst du mitkommen? | Yes, would you like to come along? |
“Can you understand me?” in German
Können Sie mich verstehen?
No matter how hard you try, sometimes your German may be met with the head tilt of confusion. Not to worry, use this phrase to help ensure understanding.
| Können Sie mich verstehen? | Can you understand me? |
| Nein. Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? | No. Could you repeat that, please? |
“Are you going out with your friends?” in German
Gehst du mit deinen Freunden aus?
Are you trying to find out where the party is at? This phrase will come in handy when you are looking to hang out and make some new memories!
| Gehst du mit deinen Freunden aus? | Are you going out with your friends? |
| Ja, willst du mitkommen? | Yeah, would you like to come along? |
“Have you seen that before?” in German
Hast du das schon mal gesehen?