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This lesson covers how to form different types of questions in German, focusing on the correct verb position in sentences. Learn about yes/no questions, W-questions with question words, 'es gibt' questions, negation in questions, and questions with 'möchte'. Examples include: 'Hast du einen Hund?' and 'Wann gehst du zur Schule?'. Understand key differences from English question structures to improve your German communication skills.
Fragetyp (Question type)Beispiel (Example)Struktur (Structure)
Ja/Nein-Fragen (Yes/No questions)Hast du einen Hund?Verb + Personalpronomen + Objekt (Verb + personal pronoun + object)
W-Fragen (mit Fragewort) (W-questions (with question word))Wann gehst du zur Schule?Fragewort + Verb + Personalpronomen + Objekt (Question word + verb + personal pronoun + object)
Fragen mit „es gibt“ (Questions with "there is/are")Gibt es einen Park hier?"Gibt es" + Objekt (Is there + object)
Verneinung in Fragen (Negation in questions)Kommst du nicht heute?Verb + Personalpronomen + nicht  (Verb + personal pronoun + not)
Fragen mit „möchte“ (Questions with "möchte")Möchtest du Kaffee?"Möchte" + Personalpronomen + Objekt ("Would like" + personal pronoun + object)

Exercise 1: Fragen stellen - Verbposition im Satz

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Kommt, Möchtest, machst, nicht, Fährst, Gibt es, Was, Warum, lernst, Ist

1. Was + machen:
... ... du am Wochenende?
(What are you doing at the weekend?)
2. Fahren:
... du mit dem Bus?
(Are you travelling by bus?)
3. Möchte:
... du Wasser?
(Would you like some water?)
4. Gibt es:
... hier einen Pool?
(Is there a pool here?)
5. Warum + lernen:
... ... du Deutsch?
(Why are you learning German?)
6. Kommen:
... er aus Deutschland?
(Is he from Germany?)
7. Fahren + nicht:
... du ... mit dem Auto?
(Aren't you going by car?)
8. Sein:
... das dein Buch?
(Is this your book?)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ___ du heute Zeit?

(___ you have time today?)

2. Wann ___ der Kurs?

(When ___ the course?)

3. ___ es hier einen Supermarkt?

(___ there a supermarket here?)

4. Kommst du heute ___ zur Arbeit?

(Are you ___ not coming to work today?)

5. ___ du einen Kaffee?

(___ you like a coffee?)

6. Wo ___ du in Deutschland?

(Where ___ you live in Germany?)

Asking Questions in German – Verb Position in the Sentence

This lesson introduces you to different types of questions (Fragetypen) in German, focusing on the correct position of the verb in various question formats. Mastering verb placement is essential for proper sentence structure and clear communication.

Types of Questions Covered

  • Yes/No Questions (Ja/Nein-Fragen): These are simple questions expecting a yes or no answer. Example: Hast du einen Hund? The verb comes first, followed by the subject.
  • W-Questions (W-Fragen): These questions start with a question word such as wann (when) or wo (where). Example: Wann gehst du zur Schule? The question word is followed by the verb, then the subject.
  • Questions with "es gibt": Here, the phrase Gibt es (Is there) is used to inquire about the existence of something. Example: Gibt es einen Park hier?
  • Negation in Questions (Verneinung in Fragen): Adding nicht to negate a question. Example: Kommst du nicht heute?
  • Questions with "möchte": Asking what someone would like. Example: Möchtest du Kaffee?

Important Highlights

German question sentences often place the verb in the first or second position, depending on the question type. For yes/no questions and "es gibt" questions, the verb usually comes first. For questions with a question word, the verb immediately follows.

Differences Between English and German Question Structure

Unlike English, where auxiliary verbs like "do" are used to form questions (Do you like coffee?), German typically places the main verb at the beginning of the sentence in yes/no questions (Magst du Kaffee?). W-questions follow a similar pattern, but the verb still stays close to the question word, e.g., Wann gehst du?—"when do you go?"

Common useful words:

  • Haben – to have (e.g., Hast du? = Do you have?)
  • Gehen – to go (e.g., gehst du? = do you go?)
  • Gibt es – is there/are there
  • Nicht – not (used for negation in questions)
  • Möchten – would like (used to express preferences)

This foundational knowledge will prepare you to construct correct and natural-sounding German questions.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Monday, 14/07/2025 20:09