In German there are two main types of questions: questions with a question word (W-Fragen) and questions with a yes/no answer (Ja-/Nein- Fragen). Today's article will help you learn about these two types of questions.

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1. W-Fragen

• W-Fragen are questions that begin with a question word.

• Some common question words in German:

Wann: When? Warum/ Wieso: Why? Was: What?

Wie: How? Wie viel(e): How much/many? Wo: Where?

Woher: Where from? Wohin: Where to? Wie lange: How long

Wer: Who? .......

Examples:

a. Wann kommst du? (When are you coming?)

b. Warum hat er noch nicht seine Hausaufgaben gemacht? (Why hasn't he done his homework yet?)

c. Wo wollen wir uns treffen? (Where shall we meet?)

2. Ja-/Nein- Fragen

• Ja-/Nein- Fragen are questions that begin with a verb, which can be a main verb (Vollverben), a modal verb (Modalverben), or an auxiliary verb (Hilfsverben)

Examples:

a. Kommst du mit? (Are you coming along?)

→ The question begins with the main verb ‘’kommen’’

b. Kann ich mit dem Fahrrad fahren? (Can I go by bicycle?)

→ The question begins with the modal verb ‘’können’’

c. Ist Ben gestern nach Berlin umgezogen? (Did Ben move to Berlin yesterday?)

→ The question begins with the auxiliary verb ‘’sein’’

• How to answer Ja-/Nein- Fragen:

- For an affirmative question, the answer begins with Ja (Yes/Right) or Nein (No)

Example: Kommst du aus Vietnam? (Are you from Vietnam?)

→ Ja, ich komme aus Vietnam. (Yes, I come from Vietnam.)

→ Nein, ich komme aus Korea. (No, I come from Korea.)

- For a negative question (containing a negating element such as kein-, nicht,..), the answer begins with Doch (Yes, I do) or Nein (No).

Example: Kommst du nicht zur Party? (Aren't you coming to the party?)

→ Doch, ich komme sofort. (Yes, I am coming right now.) ⇒ Expresses disagreement with the question.

→ Nein, ich komme nicht. (No, I am not coming.) ⇒ Expresses agreement with the question