erfragen
to inquire about a number/price
erfragen در ۳۰ ثانیه
- Focuses on the result of asking (getting the info).
- Always takes a direct object in the Accusative case.
- Inseparable prefix 'er-', past participle is 'erfragt'.
- More formal than the simple verb 'fragen'.
The German verb erfragen is a sophisticated and precise way to describe the act of obtaining specific information through inquiry. Unlike the simple verb fragen (to ask), which focuses on the act of posing a question, erfragen emphasizes the result or the outcome of the inquiry. When you erfragen something, you are successfully extracting a piece of data, a fact, a price, or a direction from another person or source.
- The 'er-' Prefix
- In German, the prefix 'er-' often indicates that an action has reached its goal or resulted in a change of state. In this case, it transforms 'asking' into 'getting information by asking'.
- Grammatical Structure
- It is a transitive verb, meaning it always takes a direct object in the accusative case. You 'erfragen' the price (den Preis), the way (den Weg), or the details (die Details).
"Wir müssen den genauen Preis erst beim Anbieter erfragen, bevor wir das Budget planen können."
In a professional context, erfragen is significantly more common than fragen when referring to data collection. For instance, a researcher might erfragen the opinions of participants, or a customer service representative might erfragen the customer's account number. It implies a systematic or intentional search for a specific answer.
Furthermore, erfragen carries a nuance of formality. While you might fragen a friend for a favor, you would erfragen the opening hours of a museum or the requirements for a visa. It suggests that the information is 'out there' and you are performing the necessary step to bring it to your knowledge.
"Die Adresse lässt sich leicht telefonisch erfragen."
- Synonym Nuance
- While erkundigen (to inquire) is reflexive (sich erkundigen), erfragen is direct. You inquire about something (sich erkundigen nach), but you erfragen the thing itself.
Using erfragen correctly requires understanding its status as an inseparable prefix verb. The 'er-' stays attached to the root 'fragen' in all tenses and moods. This makes it grammatically simpler than separable verbs like nachfragen, but it requires careful attention to sentence structure.
1. The Accusative Object
The most important rule is that erfragen needs an object. You cannot just 'erfragen'; you must 'erfragen' something. This object is always in the accusative case.
- Ich erfrage den Termin (masculine accusative).
- Sie erfragt die Telefonnummer (feminine accusative).
- Wir erfragen das Ergebnis (neuter accusative).
"Könnten Sie bitte für mich erfragen, wann der nächste Zug abfährt?"
2. Tense Formation
Because it is inseparable, the past participle is formed without the '-ge-' prefix. It is simply erfragt. The simple past is erfragte.
- Present Tense
- Er erfragt die Konditionen.
- Perfect Tense
- Ich habe die Informationen bereits erfragt.
- Passive Voice
- Die Daten wurden telefonisch erfragt.
In formal writing, erfragen is often used in the passive voice to describe data collection methods in reports or scientific papers. For example: 'Die Präferenzen der Nutzer wurden mittels eines Fragebogens erfragt.'
You will encounter erfragen in various specific contexts, primarily those involving formal communication, administration, and professional services. It is less common in casual street slang but essential for navigating German bureaucracy or business environments.
1. Customer Service & Retail
When you call a hotline or visit a store to find out if an item is in stock or what it costs, the process is often described as erfragen. A sign might say: 'Preise bitte an der Kasse erfragen' (Please inquire about prices at the register).
"Details zu unseren Tarifen können Sie jederzeit bei unserem Support-Team erfragen."
2. Academic and Professional Research
In sociology, marketing, or medicine, when researchers ask participants for their data, they erfragen it. It implies a structured gathering of information.
- In der Studie wurden die Rauchgewohnheiten der Probanden erfragt.
- Der Arzt muss die Krankengeschichte des Patienten erfragen (Anamnese).
3. Travel and Logistics
At a train station or airport, if the display board is broken, you might have to erfragen your platform number at the information desk.
Even advanced learners often struggle with the subtle distinctions between erfragen and its close relatives. Here are the most frequent errors to avoid.
1. Confusion with 'Fragen'
The most common mistake is using erfragen when you simply mean to ask a person a question. Fragen focuses on the person; erfragen focuses on the information.
- Wrong
- Ich habe ihn erfragt. (I inquired him - Nonsense)
- Correct
- Ich habe ihn gefragt. (I asked him.)
- Correct
- Ich habe den Weg bei ihm erfragt. (I found out the way by asking him.)
2. Incorrect Prepositional Use
Learners often try to use 'nach' with erfragen because they are used to 'fragen nach'. However, erfragen takes a direct accusative object.
"Falsch: Ich erfrage nach dem Preis.
Richtig: Ich erfrage den Preis."
3. Overuse in Casual Speech
While not grammatically wrong, using erfragen in a very casual setting (like asking a friend for their phone number) can sound overly bureaucratic or stiff. In such cases, 'fragen nach' or 'geben' is better.
German is rich with verbs related to asking. Understanding the nuances between erfragen and its synonyms will elevate your fluency.
1. Erfragen vs. Nachfragen
Nachfragen usually means to ask again, to follow up, or to ask for clarification. Erfragen is about the initial acquisition of information.
- Erfragen: To get the info for the first time.
- Nachfragen: To check if the info is still correct or to ask for more detail.
2. Erfragen vs. Sich erkundigen
Sich erkundigen is reflexive and usually followed by 'nach'. It is very close to erfragen but focuses more on the process of inquiry.
- Sich erkundigen
- Ich erkundige mich nach dem Weg. (Focus on my action of inquiring)
- Erfragen
- Ich erfrage den Weg. (Focus on the result: getting the directions)
3. Abfragen
Abfragen is used when a teacher tests a student's knowledge or when a computer retrieves data from a database. It implies a list of things being checked off.
"Der Lehrer hat die Vokabeln abgefragt."
چقدر رسمی است؟
""
""
سطح دشواری
گرامر لازم
مثالها بر اساس سطح
Bitte den Preis erfragen.
Please ask for the price.
Imperative use.
Ich erfrage den Weg.
I ask for the way.
Present tense, accusative object 'den Weg'.
Kann ich die Nummer erfragen?
Can I ask for the number?
Modal verb construction.
Er erfragt die Zeit.
He asks for the time.
3rd person singular.
Wir erfragen den Namen.
We ask for the name.
1st person plural.
Sie erfragt die Adresse.
She asks for the address.
Feminine object 'die Adresse'.
Wo kann ich das erfragen?
Where can I ask for that?
Question with 'wo'.
Bitte erfragen Sie die Details.
Please inquire about the details.
Formal 'Sie' imperative.
Ich habe den Termin telefonisch erfragt.
I inquired about the appointment by phone.
Perfect tense: 'habe erfragt'.
Du musst die Hausnummer erfragen.
You have to ask for the house number.
Modal verb 'müssen'.
Wir erfragen die Öffnungszeiten im Internet.
We find out the opening hours on the internet.
Present tense.
Können Sie den Preis erfragen?
Can you ask for the price?
Formal question.
Er erfragte den Grund für die Verspätung.
He asked for the reason for the delay.
Simple past (Präteritum).
Ich möchte die Kosten erfragen.
I would like to inquire about the costs.
Subjunctive II 'möchte'.
Sie erfragen die Antwort bei der Lehrerin.
They ask the teacher for the answer.
Present tense plural.
Man kann die Informationen am Schalter erfragen.
One can ask for the information at the counter.
Impersonal 'man'.
Es ist wichtig, die genauen Bedingungen zu erfragen.
It is important to inquire about the exact conditions.
Infinitiv mit 'zu'.
Haben Sie schon die Ergebnisse erfragt?
Have you already inquired about the results?
Perfect tense question.
Ich werde die Details morgen erfragen.
I will inquire about the details tomorrow.
Future I.
Die Adresse wurde bereits erfragt.
The address has already been inquired about.
Passive voice.
Bevor wir buchen, erfragen wir den Rabatt.
Before we book, we inquire about the discount.
Subordinate clause with 'bevor'.
Er versuchte, den Namen des Zeugen zu erfragen.
He tried to ask for the witness's name.
Verb 'versuchen' + infinitive.
Wir erfragen regelmäßig die Zufriedenheit unserer Kunden.
We regularly inquire about our customers' satisfaction.
Adverb 'regelmäßig'.
Könnten Sie bitte erfragen, ob der Platz noch frei ist?
Could you please find out if the seat is still free?
Indirect question with 'ob'.
Die Polizei erfragte die Personalien der Beteiligten.
The police inquired about the personal details of those involved.
Präteritum, formal context.
In der Umfrage wurde das Kaufverhalten erfragt.
In the survey, purchasing behavior was inquired about.
Passive voice in a report.
Es gilt, die Hintergründe der Entscheidung zu erfragen.
It is necessary to inquire about the background of the decision.
Formal expression 'Es gilt... zu'.
Wir müssen die Verfügbarkeit der Rohstoffe erfragen.
We must inquire about the availability of raw materials.
Business context.
Die Teilnehmer wurden nach ihren Erfahrungen erfragt.
The participants were asked about their experiences.
Passive voice with prepositional addition.
Er hat die Informationen mühsam erfragen müssen.
He had to laboriously inquire about the information.
Double infinitive in perfect tense.
Sollten Sie Fragen haben, erfragen Sie diese bitte direkt.
Should you have questions, please ask them directly.
Conditional 'Sollten Sie...'.
Die genaue Ursache muss erst noch erfragt werden.
The exact cause still needs to be inquired about.
Passive with modal verb.
Die Studie erfragte differenzierte Daten zur sozialen Mobilität.
The study inquired about differentiated data on social mobility.
Academic register.
Es ist unumgänglich, die Präferenzen der Zielgruppe zu erfragen.
It is indispensable to inquire about the target group's preferences.
Advanced adjective 'unumgänglich'.
Die Intentionen des Autors lassen sich nur schwer erfragen.
The author's intentions are difficult to inquire about.
Reflexive passive construction 'lassen sich'.
Im Rahmen der Anamnese erfragte der Arzt die Vorerkrankungen.
As part of the medical history, the doctor inquired about previous illnesses.
Medical terminology 'Anamnese'.
Die Ermittler erfragten diskret den Aufenthaltsort des Verdächtigen.
The investigators discreetly inquired about the suspect's whereabouts.
Adverbial nuance 'diskret'.
Oft werden bei Vorstellungsgesprächen auch Soft Skills erfragt.
Soft skills are also often inquired about during job interviews.
Professional context.
Die Methodik sieht vor, die Daten qualitativ zu erfragen.
The methodology provides for inquiring about the data qualitatively.
Scientific register.
Man erfragte die Zustimmung der Anwohner zum Bauprojekt.
The residents' consent to the construction project was inquired about.
Administrative context.
Die explorative Phase diente dazu, erste Tendenzen zu erfragen.
The exploratory phase served to inquire about initial trends.
Highly formal academic German.
Inwieweit die Motive tatsächlich erfragt werden konnten, bleibt fraglich.
To what extent the motives could actually be inquired about remains questionable.
Complex subordinate clause structure.
Die Erhebung erfragte retrospektiv die Lebensumstände der Befragten.
The survey retrospectively inquired about the respondents' living conditions.
Technical term 'retrospektiv'.
Es bedarf einer präzisen Fragestellung, um valide Daten zu erfragen.
A precise question is required to inquire about valid data.
Genitive construction 'Es bedarf einer...'.
Die diplomatischen Kanäle wurden genutzt, um die Position der Regierung zu erfragen.
Diplomatic channels were used to inquire about the government's position.
Political/Diplomatic register.
Hierbei wurde insbesondere die psychische Belastung am Arbeitsplatz erfragt.
In this context, psychological stress at the workplace was specifically inquired about.
Passive voice with focusing adverb.
Das Ausmaß der Schäden muss erst noch gutachterlich erfragt werden.
The extent of the damage must first be inquired about by an expert.
Adverb 'gutachterlich'.
Die soziostrukturellen Merkmale wurden mittels standardisierter Interviews erfragt.
The socio-structural characteristics were inquired about using standardized interviews.
High-level sociological terminology.
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
Preise auf Anfrage erfragen
Details bitte beim Support erfragen
den genauen Standort erfragen
die Verfügbarkeit erfragen
Informationen vor Ort erfragen
den Namen des Verantwortlichen erfragen
die Bedingungen erfragen
den aktuellen Stand erfragen
die Meinung der Experten erfragen
den Grund für die Absage erfragen
اغلب اشتباه گرفته میشود با
اصطلاحات و عبارات
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
بهراحتی اشتباه گرفته میشود
الگوهای جملهسازی
نحوه استفاده
Erfragen is result-oriented.
High in written/formal German, medium in spoken German.
- Using 'ge-erfragt' in the perfect tense.
- Using 'nach' with erfragen (e.g., erfragen nach dem Preis).
- Using a person as the direct object.
- Confusing it with 'abfragen' (testing knowledge).
- Forgetting that it is inseparable in the present tense (e.g., 'ich frage er').
نکات
No 'ge-'
Remember: erfragt, not ge-erfragt. This applies to all 'er-' verbs.
The 'er-' effect
Think of 'er-' as 'success'. You asked and you succeeded in getting the info.
Business German
Use 'erfragen' in your cover letters when asking about job details.
Stress
The stress is on the 'fra', never on the 'er'.
Context Clues
If you hear 'erfragen', expect a specific fact (like a number) to follow.
Passive Voice
In reports, use 'Es wurde erfragt...' to sound more objective.
B1/B2 Exams
Using 'erfragen' instead of 'fragen' can boost your vocabulary score.
Bureaucracy
When at the 'Bürgeramt', use 'erfragen' to show you know the formal register.
Association
Associate 'erfragen' with 'Information'.
Direct Object
Always ask yourself: 'What am I erfragen-ing?' The answer is your object.
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
ER-fragen = ER-gebnis (Result). You ask to get a result.
ریشه کلمه
Old High German 'frahēn', combined with the prefix 'er-'.
بافت فرهنگی
Signs saying 'Preis auf Anfrage' or 'Preis erfragen' are common in high-end boutiques or antique shops.
Using 'erfragen' in a letter to a German authority (Behörde) is highly recommended over 'fragen'.
تمرین در زندگی واقعی
موقعیتهای واقعی
شروعکنندههای مکالمه
"Haben Sie den Preis schon erfragt?"
"Wo kann ich die Details dazu erfragen?"
"Soll ich für dich den Termin erfragen?"
"Wie haben Sie diese Information erfragt?"
"Kann man die Ergebnisse online erfragen?"
موضوعات نگارش
Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du mühsam eine Information erfragen musstest.
Welche Informationen erfragst du normalerweise, bevor du ein neues Handy kaufst?
Beschreibe einen Besuch bei einer Behörde. Was musstest du dort erfragen?
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNo, it is an inseparable prefix verb. The 'er-' always stays with 'fragen'.
No, you 'erfragen' information, not people. Use 'Ich frage dich'.
The past participle is 'erfragt'.
Yes, it is more formal than 'fragen' and very common in business.
No, it takes a direct accusative object. 'Ich erfrage den Preis', not 'nach dem Preis'.
Yes, 'den Weg erfragen' is a common expression.
'Sich erkundigen' is reflexive and focuses on the act of inquiring; 'erfragen' focuses on the data obtained.
Yes, very often to describe how data was collected from participants.
You will see it on signs, but you usually don't need to produce it until A2/B1.
The process is usually described as 'das Erfragen' (nominalized verb), though 'die Umfrage' is a related noun.
خودت رو بسنج 180 سوال
/ 180 درست
نمره کامل!
Summary
Use 'erfragen' when you are on a mission to get a specific fact, price, or detail, especially in formal, business, or administrative situations where the information is the priority.
- Focuses on the result of asking (getting the info).
- Always takes a direct object in the Accusative case.
- Inseparable prefix 'er-', past participle is 'erfragt'.
- More formal than the simple verb 'fragen'.
No 'ge-'
Remember: erfragt, not ge-erfragt. This applies to all 'er-' verbs.
The 'er-' effect
Think of 'er-' as 'success'. You asked and you succeeded in getting the info.
Business German
Use 'erfragen' in your cover letters when asking about job details.
Stress
The stress is on the 'fra', never on the 'er'.
محتوای مرتبط
قواعد دستوری مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر numbers
abrunden
A2این فعل یعنی گرد کردن یه چیزی یا یه صحبت رو قشنگ تموم کردن.
absolut
A2مطلق؛ کامل و بدون هیچ قید و شرطی.
abziehen
A2یعنی یه قسمتی از یه کل رو کم کنی، مثلاً از یه قبض پول کم کنی.
addieren
A2جمع کردن به معنای ترکیب دو یا چند عدد برای به دست آوردن یک کل است. این یک عملیات پایه ریاضی است.
analysieren
A2تجزیه و تحلیل کردن
angeben
A21. اظهار کردن، قید کردن (اطلاعات). مثال: لطفا آدرس خود را قید کنید. 2. پز دادن، لاف زدن. مثال: او همیشه با ماشین جدیدش پز می دهد.
Anordnung
B1نحوه چیدمان یا مرتب کردن اشیاء در یک فضای مشخص.
anschließend
B1سپس، پس از آن. ما غذا خوردیم و سپس رفتیم.
Anstieg
B1بالا رفتن یا افزایش، که معمولاً برای قیمتها، دما یا اعداد به کار میره.
anteilig
B1این یعنی که یه چیزی به نسبت یه قسمت یا سهم مشخصی تقسیم شده یا انجام شده.
