German · A2 · Everyday language
Do you know where? in German
Use indirect questions to ask gently for missing information. Start with a phrase such as Weißt du …? or Kannst du mir sagen …?, then add a question word and put the conjugated verb at the end of the embedded question.
What you'll learn
- Ask for information using wo, wann, wie, warum, wer and was.
- Place the conjugated verb at the end of an indirect question.
- Use indirect questions in friendly requests and statements.
- Keep wie viel together when asking about a price.
German phrases for do you know where?
Weißt du, wo der Schlüssel ist?
Do you know where the key is?
The embedded question begins with wo and ends with ist.
Kannst du mir sagen, wann wir losgehen?
Can you tell me when we leave?
Wann asks about time. The conjugated verb losgehen comes last.
Zeig mir, wie dieses Spiel funktioniert.
Show me how this game works.
Wie introduces what you want someone to show you; funktioniert comes last.
Ich weiß nicht, warum die Klingel klingelt.
I don't know why the bell is ringing.
An indirect question can follow a statement. Warum asks for a reason.
Weißt du, wer heute kommt?
Do you know who is coming today?
Wer asks about a person. Put kommt after heute.
Sag mir, was du dafür brauchst.
Tell me what you need for this.
Was introduces the missing information; brauchst comes last.
Ich frage mich, wie viel das kostet.
I wonder how much this costs.
Keep wie viel together at the start of the embedded question.
Kannst du mir sagen, wo ich warten soll?
Can you tell me where I should wait?
With two verbs, the conjugated verb soll comes last: warten soll.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
der Schlüssel
key
Plural: die Schlüssel.
das Spiel
game
Plural: die Spiele.
die Klingel
bell
Plural: die Klingeln. Used for a doorbell or bicycle bell.
losgehen
to leave; to set off
Here it means to start going somewhere.
dafür
for this; for that
Refers back to an activity or thing already mentioned.
wie viel
how much
Use wie viel … kostet to ask about a price.
Question word first, conjugated verb last
An indirect question sits inside a larger sentence. Introduce it with a question word, then put its conjugated verb at the end. Separate it from the opening phrase with a comma.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Where | wo + subject + conjugated verb | Weißt du, wo der Schlüssel ist? |
| When | wann + subject + conjugated verb | Kannst du mir sagen, wann wir losgehen? |
| How | wie + subject + conjugated verb | Zeig mir, wie dieses Spiel funktioniert. |
| Why | warum + subject + conjugated verb | Ich weiß nicht, warum die Klingel klingelt. |
Other question words and two-verb endings
The same end position applies with wer, was and wie viel. When wer is the subject, no extra subject is needed. If the embedded question contains a modal verb such as soll, put that conjugated verb after the infinitive.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Who | wer + other information + conjugated verb | Weißt du, wer heute kommt? |
| What | was + subject + other information + conjugated verb | Sag mir, was du dafür brauchst. |
| How much | wie viel + subject + conjugated verb | Ich frage mich, wie viel das kostet. |
| Two verbs | wo + subject + infinitive + conjugated modal verb | Kannst du mir sagen, wo ich warten soll? |
Question mark or full stop?
The whole sentence determines the final punctuation. Use a question mark when the opening asks a question. Use a full stop for a statement or a calm instruction, even when it contains an indirect question.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Question | Weißt du, …? | Weißt du, wer heute kommt? |
| Statement | Ich weiß nicht, …. | Ich weiß nicht, warum die Klingel klingelt. |
| Instruction | Sag mir, …. | Sag mir, was du dafür brauchst. |
More examples
Wo ist der Schlüssel? → Weißt du, wo der Schlüssel ist?
Where is the key? → Do you know where the key is?
Ist moves to the end in the indirect question.
Wann gehen wir los? → Kannst du mir sagen, wann wir losgehen?
When do we leave? → Can you tell me when we leave?
In the embedded question, losgehen appears together at the end.
Wie viel kostet das? → Ich frage mich, wie viel das kostet.
How much does this cost? → I wonder how much this costs.
Wie viel stays together; kostet moves to the end.
Wo soll ich warten? → Kannst du mir sagen, wo ich warten soll?
Where should I wait? → Can you tell me where I should wait?
The embedded question ends with warten soll, not soll warten.