Asking things
Dinge fragen
- Ask and answer questions.
- Learn the question words.
- Asking questions - verb position in the sentence
This lesson teaches how to ask questions in German using key Fragewörter like Wer? (Who?), Warum? (Why?), and Wann? (When?). You will practice forming sentences and answering with verbs such as fragen (to ask) and antworten (to answer).
Listening and reading
Start this class by listening to the audio and completing the corresponding exercises.
Vocabulary (17) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Assign the following words to the appropriate categories: question words or verbs.
Fragewörter
Verben
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Fragen
To ask
2
Falsch
Wrong
3
Wie?
How?
4
Bedeuten
To mean
5
Seit wann?
Since when?
Übung 5: Conversation exercise
Anleitung:
- Bilde einen Satz, der zum Bild passt, und benutze dabei eine Frage. (Make a phrase that matches the picture, using a question.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Wie hoch ist die Rechnung? How much is the bill? |
|
Was sagst du? What do you say? |
|
Welchen willst du? Which one do you want? |
|
Wohin müssen wir gehen? Where do we have to go? |
|
Was ist Ihr Beruf? What is your job? |
|
Welche Sprache sprichst du? What language do you speak? |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Wann ___ du heute nach Hause?
(When ___ are you going home today?)2. Wer ___ auf meine Frage?
(Who ___ answers my question?)3. Was ___ du im Supermarkt kaufen?
(What ___ would you like to buy in the supermarket?)4. ___ es hier einen guten Bäcker?
(___ Is there a good baker here?)Exercise 8: Asking and answering in the supermarket
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Fragen - Fragen
Präsens
- ich frage
- du fragst
- er/sie/es fragt
- wir fragen
- ihr fragt
- sie/Sie fragen
Möchten - Möchten
Präsens
- ich möchte
- du möchtest
- er/sie/es möchte
- wir möchten
- ihr möchtet
- sie/Sie möchten
Antworten - Antworten
Präsens
- ich antworte
- du antwortest
- er/sie/es antwortet
- wir antworten
- ihr antwortet
- sie/Sie antworten
Sagen - Sagen
Präsens
- ich sage
- du sagst
- er/sie/es sagt
- wir sagen
- ihr sagt
- sie/Sie sagen
Geben - Geben
Präsens
- ich gebe
- du gibst
- er/sie/es gibt
- wir geben
- ihr gebt
- sie/Sie geben
Arbeiten - Arbeiten
Präsens
- ich arbeite
- du arbeitest
- er/sie/es arbeitet
- wir arbeiten
- ihr arbeitet
- sie/Sie arbeiten
Exercise 9: Fragen stellen - Verbposition im Satz
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Asking questions - verb position in the sentence
Show translation Show answersKommt, Möchtest, machst, nicht, Fährst, Gibt es, Was, Warum, lernst, Ist
Grammar Share Copied!
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A1.18.2 Grammatik
Fragen stellen - Verbposition im Satz
Asking questions - verb position in the sentence
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Fragen to ask Share Copied!
Präsens
| German | English |
|---|---|
| (ich) frage | I ask |
| (du) fragst | you ask |
| (er/sie/es) fragt | he/she/it asks |
| (wir) fragen | we ask |
| (ihr) fragt | you ask |
| (sie) fragen | they ask |
Antworten to answer Share Copied!
Präsens
| German | English |
|---|---|
| (ich) antworte | I answer |
| (du) antwortest | you answer |
| (er/sie/es) antwortet | he/she/it answers |
| (wir) antworten | we answer |
| (ihr) antwortet | you answer |
| (sie) antworten | they answer |
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Lesson Overview: Asking Questions in German (Fragen stellen)
This lesson introduces you to forming and understanding questions in German, focusing on the verb position within sentences—an essential skill for beginners at level A1. You will learn common question words, how to order sentences correctly, and practice real-life dialogs that prepare you to ask and answer typical questions.
Key Question Words
Master these essential question words that help you inquire about people, things, reasons, time, and manner:
- Wer? (Who?)
- Was? (What?)
- Warum? (Why?)
- Wann? (When?)
- Wie? (How?)
Understanding Verb Position
In German questions, the verb typically occupies the second position, especially in yes/no questions and questions starting with question words. For example:
- Wo lernst du Deutsch? (Where do you learn German?)
- Gibt es einen Supermarkt in der Nähe? (Is there a supermarket nearby?)
- Möchtest du einen Kaffee? (Would you like a coffee?)
Useful Vocabulary
- die Antwort – the answer
- ist – is
- richtig – correct
Practical Dialogues
The lesson includes practical dialogues to practice asking and answering questions in everyday contexts like ordering in a café, asking for directions, and getting to know someone at work:
- Entschuldigung, gibt es hier Kaffee? (Excuse me, is there coffee here?)
- Wie heißt du? (What is your name?)
- Wo ist der Bahnhof? (Where is the train station?)
Verb Conjugation Focus
You will practice conjugating important verbs like fragen (to ask), antworten (to answer), and wohnen (to live) in the present tense. Examples:
- ich frage, du fragst, er/sie/es fragt
- ich antworte, du antwortest, er/sie/es antwortet
- ich wohne, du wohnst, er/sie/es wohnt
Note on Language Differences
The instruction language here is English, focusing on learning German. Unlike English, where word order in questions often starts with the question word followed immediately by the auxiliary verb (e.g., "Where do you live?"), German questions always place the conjugated verb directly after the question word or at the beginning in yes/no questions. Also, question words in German do not change form depending on the function; they remain consistent.
Useful phrases to notice:
- Wie oft fragst du im Geschäft nach dem Preis? (How often do you ask about the price in the store?)
- Seit wann wohnst du in Deutschland? (Since when have you been living in Germany?)
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