W-Fragen (Question words)

A1 German grammar — Help & directions. German question words (*W-Wörter*) often start with *w-* (except *ob* in indirect questions). For **people**, the form c…

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Rule explained

German question words (*W-Wörter*) often start with *w-* (except *ob* in indirect questions). For **people**, the form changes with case: *wer* (nominative — who does it?), *wen* (accusative — whom do you see?), *wem* (dative — to whom did you give it?). For **place**, use *wo* (where at), *wohin* (where to), *woher* (where from). *Was* is for things and ideas, not people. In **polite questions**, rising intonation and **bitte** matter as much as grammar (*Könnten Sie mir bitte sagen, **wo** …?*). **Welch-** questions assume a **closed set** of options (*Welche Linie?*).

Examples

Use these mini-pairs as templates:

• Wer ist das? — Who is that?
• Wem schreibst du? — Whom are you writing to?
• Wohin fahren Sie? — Where are you going (to)?

Common mistakes

Watch out for these learner errors:

• Do not use *was* for people — use *wer* / *wen* / *wem*.
• *Wo* = location; *wohin* = direction to; *woher* = direction from — do not mix them up.
• *Welch-* agrees like an article: *welcher Mann*, *welche Frau*, *welches Kind*.