Asking About Things: Prepositional Adverbs (wo(r) + Preposition)
wo(r)- adverbs to ask about or refer to things/concepts, never for people.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'wo-' or 'wor-' + preposition to ask about things instead of people.
- Use 'wo-' + preposition for consonants: 'Womit schreibst du?' (With what are you writing?)
- Use 'wor-' + preposition for vowels: 'Worauf wartest du?' (What are you waiting for?)
- These replace 'preposition + das/es/etwas' in questions.
Overview
German prepositional adverbs formed with wo(r)- represent an essential syntactic tool for B2-level learners. These compounds serve a dual function: as interrogative pronominal adverbs to inquire about non-personal objects or abstract concepts, and as relative pronominal adverbs to refer back to a preceding idea or inanimate noun. Their primary purpose is to enhance conciseness and maintain grammatical integrity by replacing the potentially awkward structure of preposition + was or preposition + an inanimate noun phrase.
From a linguistic perspective, wo(r)- compounds are a manifestation of German's preference for avoiding prepositional stranding when the object of the preposition is an inanimate entity or a clause. Unlike English, where one can easily say "What are you talking about?" with the preposition at the end, German typically requires the preposition to precede its object. Wo(r)- compounds elegantly solve this by merging the interrogative or relative pronoun with the preposition into a single unit.
This structure is a hallmark of formal and grammatically correct German, distinguishing it from more colloquial expressions.
For instance, instead of the grammatically informal An was denkst du? (literally, "At what are you thinking?"), the standard and preferred form is Woran denkst du? ("What are you thinking about?"). Similarly, when connecting clauses, Das ist ein Thema, worüber wir schon gesprochen haben ("That is a topic about which we have already spoken") is far more fluid and correct than repeating the noun phrase or using a less integrated structure. Mastery of wo(r)- compounds signals a significant step towards native-like fluency, enabling you to articulate complex ideas with precision and elegance.
How This Grammar Works
wo(r)- construction functions as a substitute. It replaces a preposition combined with an interrogative pronoun (was) or an inanimate noun phrase (e.g., über das Problem, mit dem Buch). This substitution is strictly for things, concepts, situations, or entire clauses—never for persons or animate beings.wo- element directly translates to "what" or "whereby" in context, while the attached preposition retains its original meaning, thereby providing the specific relational context.sprechen über (to talk about). If you are talking about an inanimate object, such as a film, you could form a question: Über den Film sprichst du? This is clunky. Über was sprichst du? is common in informal speech but grammatically frowned upon.wo(r)- construction offers a refined alternative: Worüber sprichst du? (wo + r + über). Here, worüber encapsulates both the interrogative "what" and the preposition "about," maintaining proper German syntax.warten auf – to wait for, sich freuen über – to be happy about, denken an – to think of/about). When the object of these fixed prepositions is inanimate, the wo(r)- pronominal adverb becomes the natural and correct choice for both questions and relative clauses.Ich warte auf die Antwort ("I am waiting for the answer"). If you want to ask "What are you waiting for?", you use Worauf wartest du? (wo + r + auf).Formation Pattern
wo(r)- pronominal adverbs follows a straightforward rule, with a crucial phonetic adjustment to ensure smooth pronunciation. The base is always wo-, to which the relevant preposition is affixed. The key factor is the initial sound of the preposition:
wo- with the preposition.
wo + mit = womit ("with what")
wo + von = wovon ("of what")
wo + zu = wozu ("to what / for what purpose")
-r- is inserted between wo- and the preposition. This -r- acts as a connector, facilitating pronunciation and adhering to German phonotactic rules.
wo + r + an = woran ("on what / at what")
wo + r + auf = worauf ("on what / for what")
wo + r + über = worüber ("about what / over what")
wo(r)- Form | English Meaning |
an | Vowel-initial | woran | on/at what |
auf | Vowel-initial | worauf | on/upon what / for what |
aus | Vowel-initial | woraus | out of what |
bei | Consonant-initial | wobei | at/with what / whereby |
durch | Consonant-initial | wodurch | through what / whereby |
für | Consonant-initial | wofür | for what |
gegen | Consonant-initial | wogegen | against what |
in | Vowel-initial | worin | in what |
mit | Consonant-initial | womit | with what |
nach | Consonant-initial | wonach | after what / according to what |
über | Vowel-initial | worüber | about what / over what |
um | Vowel-initial | worum | around what / about what |
unter | Vowel-initial | worunter | under what / among what |
von | Consonant-initial | wovon | of what / from what |
vor | Consonant-initial | wovor | before what / of what (fear) |
zu | Consonant-initial | wozu | to what / for what purpose |
-r- rule, as its omission is a common error among learners. The presence or absence of this connector is purely phonetic; it does not alter the meaning or grammatical function of the pronominal adverb.
When To Use It
Wo(r)- pronominal adverbs are indispensable tools in B2 German, primarily used in two distinct contexts: as interrogative words and as relative adverbs. Both functions are strictly limited to referring to inanimate objects, abstract concepts, or entire situations/clauses.- 1As Interrogative Pronominal Adverbs (Asking Questions):
wo(r)- to inquire about the thing or concept that is the object of a preposition. This is the grammatically correct and standard way to ask "what... (preposition)?" in German.Preposition + was? construction. The choice of wo(r)- compound directly depends on the preposition required by the verb or adjective.Denken an(to think of/about): Instead ofAn was denkst du?, you ask:Woran denkst du gerade?("What are you currently thinking about?"). Here,woranreplacesan etwas(something).Sich freuen über(to be happy about): Instead ofÜber was freust du dich?, the correct question is:Worüber freust du dich so sehr?("What are you so happy about?").Worüberstands forüber etwas(about something).Warten auf(to wait for): To ask "What are you waiting for?", you should say:Worauf warten wir eigentlich?(wo+r+auf). This construction indicates expectation directed towards an inanimate outcome or event, not a person.
- 1As Relative Pronominal Adverbs (Connecting Clauses):
Wo(r)- compounds also function as relative adverbs, introducing relative clauses that refer back to a preceding idea, statement, or an inanimate noun. This is particularly useful when the relative clause comments on an entire situation rather than just a single noun, or when the antecedent is an abstract concept. This usage makes your sentences more cohesive and avoids repetition.- Referring to a preceding clause/situation:
Er hat die Prüfung mit Auszeichnung bestanden, worüber sich die ganze Familie freute. ("He passed the exam with distinction, about which the whole family was happy."). Here, worüber refers to the entire fact that he passed the exam, not just the exam itself.- Referring to an abstract noun:
Das ist die einzige Sache, womit ich nicht einverstanden bin. ("That is the only thing with which I do not agree."). Womit here relates to die Sache (the thing).- Expressing consequence or manner:
Sie investierte viel Zeit in das Projekt, wodurch sie große Fortschritte erzielte. ("She invested a lot of time in the project, through which she achieved great progress."). Wodurch clarifies the means or cause of the progress.wo(r)- compound, when used as a relative adverb, initiates a subordinate clause, meaning the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause. For example: Das ist das Problem, woran wir noch arbeiten müssen. (That is the problem, on which we still have to work.) – note müssen at the end.When Not To Use It
wo(r)- pronominal adverbs is as critical as knowing when to employ them correctly. Misapplication leads to grammatical errors or, in the case of referring to individuals, can even be perceived as dehumanizing. The rule is absolute: wo(r)- compounds are exclusively for inanimate objects, abstract concepts, or entire preceding clauses/situations.- 1For Persons or Animate Beings:
wo(r)- compound. Instead, you use the preposition followed by the appropriate form of the interrogative pronoun (wen for accusative, wem for dative) or a personal pronoun.- Incorrect:
Womit sprichst du?(if referring to a person) - Correct:
Mit wem sprichst du?("With whom are you speaking?") - Incorrect:
Woran denkst du?(if referring to your friend) - Correct:
An wen denkst du?("Of whom are you thinking?")
preposition + wen/wem is common and often preferred to avoid sounding impersonal. However, for generic animals or in contexts where they are viewed as 'things', wo(r)- might sometimes be used (e.g., Das ist die Maus, wovor meine Katze Angst hat. – That is the mouse, of which my cat is afraid. This highlights the nuance: wovor describes the fear of the mouse, not the mouse itself as a conversation partner).- 1For Physical Locations (in specific contexts):
wo itself means "where" (static location), wo(r)- compounds generally do not refer to physical locations where the preposition indicates placement or direction. Instead, dedicated interrogative adverbs wo (static location), wohin (direction towards), and woher (direction from) are used. Wo(r)- compounds are about the relationship of an inanimate entity to a preposition, not its spatial position.- To ask "Where are you going?" (direction):
Wohin gehst du?(NotWozu gehst du?, unless you mean "For what purpose are you going?") - To ask "Where are you?" (static location):
Wo bist du?(NotWorin bist du?, unless you mean "In what (concept/situation) are you?")
- 1With Prepositions Not Typically Forming
wo(r)-Compounds:
was to form a question about a 'thing' in a practical sense, typically do not form wo(r)- adverbs. While technically possible for some, they sound unnatural or archaic in modern German.ohne(without): You would sayOhne was?(informal) or restructure the sentence entirely, but rarelywoohne. (Worum geht es ohne Unterstützung?–What is it about without support?Hereworumis forum, notohne)bis(until/by): Notwobis. You'd askBis wann?(Until when?) orBis wohin?(Up to where?).- Prepositions indicating a fixed temporal relationship, like
seit(since) orwährend(during), also do not formwo(r)-compounds, as they typically refer to time or duration, which are addressed bywann,seit wann, etc.
Common Mistakes
wo(r)- pronominal adverbs. Awareness of these common errors and their underlying reasons can significantly accelerate mastery.- 1Using
wo(r)-for People: As extensively covered, this is the most prevalent and grammatically severe error. It stems from a direct translation habit from languages like English where "about whom" or "with whom" might be less common than "who... about" or "who... with". German demands a clear distinction:
- Error:
Worüber denkst du an Hans?(Implies Hans is a concept/thing) - Correction:
An wen denkst du, wenn es um Hans geht?("Of whom do you think, when it's about Hans?") - Error:
Womit hast du gearbeitet, als Anna da war?(Implies Anna is an instrument) - Correction:
Mit wem hast du gearbeitet, als Anna da war?("With whom did you work when Anna was there?")
- 1Omitting the
-r-Connector: This is a phonetic error that marks a non-native speaker. The rulewo+r+ vowel-initial preposition is absolute. Forgetting the-r-results in a pronunciation clash and sounds jarring to native ears.
- Error:
Woauf wartest du? - Correction:
Worauf wartest du? - Error:
Woan erinnerst du dich? - Correction:
Woran erinnerst du dich?
- 1Using
Preposition + wasin Formal Contexts: WhileÜber was sprichst du?is common in very casual, informal speech (especially among younger speakers or in certain regional dialects), it is generally considered incorrect or unrefined in formal writing, academic settings, or professional communication. A B2 learner should consistently aim for thewo(r)-construction.
- Informal:
Für was ist das? - Formal/Correct:
Wofür ist das?("What is that for?") - Informal:
Mit was arbeitest du? - Formal/Correct:
Womit arbeitest du?("With what are you working?")
- 1Confusing with
wohin/woher:Wo(r)-adverbs are not typically used to ask about physical destination or origin. That is the domain ofwohin(to where) andwoher(from where).
- Error:
Wozu fährst du?(if asking about destination) - Correction:
Wohin fährst du?("Where are you driving to?") - Correct Use of
Wozu:Wozu brauchst du das?("What do you need that for? / For what purpose do you need that?")
- 1Overuse or Incorrect Preposition Choice: Sometimes learners might force a
wo(r)-compound with a preposition that doesn't naturally fit the context or verb, or with prepositions that rarely form these compounds.
- Ensure the verb or adjective you are using genuinely requires the specific preposition. For instance,
interessiert sein an(to be interested in) correctly leads toWoran bist du interessiert?. However,sehen(to see) does not typically take a preposition in this way to formwo(r)-compounds.
Common Collocations
Wo(r)- pronominal adverbs frequently co-occur with specific verbs and adjectives that govern fixed prepositions. Learning these common collocations is crucial for natural and correct usage, as it reflects how native speakers habitually combine these elements. Integrating these into your active vocabulary will significantly improve your fluency.wo(r)- compound:wo(r)- Compound | Example Sentence |denken an (to think of/about) | woran | Woran denkst du, wenn du dieses Lied hörst? ("What do you think of when you hear this song?") |sich erinnern an (to remember) | woran | Woran erinnerst du dich am liebsten aus deiner Kindheit? ("What do you most like to remember from your childhood?") |sich freuen auf (to look forward to) | worauf | Worauf freust du dich im Sommer am meisten? ("What are you looking forward to most in summer?") |warten auf (to wait for) | worauf | Worauf wartest du denn noch? Die Zeit läuft ab. ("What are you still waiting for? Time is running out.") |sich freuen über (to be happy about) | worüber | Worüber haben sich die Kollegen so amüsiert? ("What were the colleagues so amused about?") |sprechen über (to speak about) | worüber | Worüber möchtest du heute noch mit mir reden? ("What else would you like to talk to me about today?") |nachdenken über (to reflect on) | worüber | Worüber solltest du vor dieser Entscheidung gut nachdenken? ("What should you carefully reflect on before this decision?") |sich unterhalten über (to chat about) | worüber | Worüber habt ihr euch gestern Abend unterhalten? ("What did you chat about last night?") |sich ärgern über (to be annoyed about) | worüber | Worüber ärgerst du dich am meisten im Alltag? ("What annoys you most in everyday life?") |sich beklagen über (to complain about) | worüber | Worüber beschwert sich der Kunde immer wieder? ("What does the customer keep complaining about?") |sich kümmern um (to take care of) | worum | Worum musst du dich diese Woche unbedingt kümmern? ("What absolutely must you take care of this week?") |sich bewerben um (to apply for) | worum | Worum hast du dich beworben? ("What did you apply for?") |bitten um (to ask for) | worum | Worum hat er dich gebeten? ("What did he ask you for?") |interessiert sein an (to be interested in) | woran | Woran sind Sie am stärksten interessiert? ("What are you most interested in?") |fragen nach (to ask for/about) | wonach | Wonach fragt der Professor immer in der Prüfung? ("What does the professor always ask for in the exam?") |suchen nach (to look for) | wonach | Wonach suchst du hier im Keller? ("What are you looking for here in the cellar?") |bestehen aus (to consist of) | woraus | Woraus besteht dieses neue Material? ("What does this new material consist of?") |sich handeln um (to be about) | worum | Worum handelt es sich in diesem neuen Projekt? ("What is this new project about?") |dienen zu (to serve for) | wozu | Wozu dient dieser unbekannte Gegenstand? ("What is this unknown object for?") |wo(r)- compounds. By habitually pairing them, you avoid lengthy phrases and enhance the natural rhythm of your German. Practice using these combinations in both questions and relative clauses to solidify your understanding and improve recall.Contrast With Similar Patterns
wo(r)- pronominal adverbs, it's essential to differentiate them from other grammatically similar or contextually related structures. Confusing these patterns is a common source of error for B2 learners.- 1
da(r)-Compounds (Pronominal Adverbs of Reference):
wo(r)- compounds are da(r)- compounds (e.g., damit, darauf, davon). The distinction is straightforward: wo(r)- compounds are interrogative or relative, seeking information or making a connection, while da(r)- compounds are demonstrative or referential, providing an answer or referring to something already mentioned. They function as substitutes for preposition + es/das or preposition + a previously mentioned inanimate noun/clause.- Question (wo-):
Womit arbeitest du?("With what are you working?") - Answer (da-):
Ich arbeite mit dem Laptop, damit arbeite ich am liebsten.("I am working with the laptop, with that I prefer to work.") or simplyIch arbeite damit.("I am working with it.")
- Question (wo-):
Worauf wartest du?("What are you waiting for?") - Answer (da-):
Ich warte auf die Antwort. Darauf habe ich schon lange gewartet.("I am waiting for the answer. For that I have waited a long time.")
wo(r)- compounds, da(r)- compounds also use the -r- connector when the preposition starts with a vowel (e.g., da + r + auf = darauf, da + r + in = darin). The logic for their formation is identical.- 1
Preposition + was(Informal vs. Formal):
Preposition + was (e.g., Für was?, Mit was?, Über was?) is generally considered grammatically less refined than the wo(r)- construction. For B2-level communication and beyond, especially in written or formal spoken contexts, wo(r)- is always the preferred and correct choice.- Informal:
An was glaubst du? - Formal/Correct:
Woran glaubst du?("What do you believe in?")
- Informal:
Von was träumst du? - Formal/Correct:
Wovon träumst du?("What are you dreaming of?")
wo(r)- demonstrates a higher level of linguistic competence and adherence to standard German grammar, akin to opting for formal vocabulary over slang in English.- 1
Preposition + wen/wem(for Persons):
wer (wen for accusative, wem for dative) preceded by the preposition. This ensures that you do not inadvertently treat a person as an inanimate object.- Asking about a person:
Mit wem sprichst du?("With whom are you speaking?") (NOTWomit sprichst du?) - Referring to a person:
Das ist der Kollege, mit dem ich gesprochen habe.(That is the colleague, with whom I spoke.) (NOTwomit)
wo(r)- for things and preposition + wen/wem for persons is a cornerstone of German grammar concerning pronominal adverbs and essential for both clarity and social appropriateness.Quick FAQ
- Can I use
wo(r)-for animals?
preposition + wen/wem might be used, especially in emotional contexts. However, if an animal is treated more as a generic creature or an object of a concept (e.g., fear, discussion), wo(r)- can be acceptable. Wovor fürchtest du dich? (What are you afraid of?) could apply to a snake (vor der Schlange), where wovor refers to the fear provoked by the snake.- Are
wo(r)-compounds always at the beginning of a question?
Wo...?, Wann...?). When used as relative adverbs, they introduce the subordinate clause.- Do
wo(r)-words have gender or number?
- What if the preposition is accusative or dative? Does it matter?
wo(r)- compound. The wo(r)- form simply incorporates the preposition; the case information is implicitly carried by that preposition's meaning, even though the compound itself is an adverb and doesn't show case morphology. For instance, auf can be accusative or dative, but worauf remains the same form.- Is
wofüralways about purpose?
Wofür primarily asks "What for?" or "For what purpose?" as in Wofür ist das gut? ("What is that good for?"). However, it can also refer to supporting something, as in Wofür bist du? ("What are you in favor of?").kämpfen für (to fight for) would translate to wofür kämpfst du? ("What are you fighting for?").- Can
wo(r)-compounds replace entire sentences?
worüber, wodurch, wobei, etc., can refer back to an entire preceding clause, allowing for sophisticated sentence structures. Er hat das Projekt pünktlich abgeschlossen, worüber sich alle freuten. (He completed the project on time, which made everyone happy.) Here, worüber refers to the successful completion of the project, not just the project itself.Formation of Pronominal Adverbs
| Preposition | Consonant (wo-) | Vowel (wor-) |
|---|---|---|
|
mit
|
womit
|
-
|
|
für
|
wofür
|
-
|
|
an
|
-
|
woran
|
|
über
|
-
|
worüber
|
|
auf
|
-
|
worauf
|
|
von
|
wovon
|
-
|
|
nach
|
wonach
|
-
|
|
um
|
-
|
worum
|
Meanings
Pronominal adverbs are used to ask questions about inanimate objects or concepts when a preposition is required.
Inquiry about objects
Asking 'what' in relation to a preposition.
“Wofür interessierst du dich?”
“Wovon träumst du?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Question (Thing)
|
Wo(r) + Prep
|
Womit schreibst du?
|
|
Answer (Thing)
|
Da(r) + Prep
|
Ich schreibe damit.
|
|
Question (Person)
|
Prep + Pronoun
|
Mit wem schreibst du?
|
|
Answer (Person)
|
Prep + Pronoun
|
Ich schreibe mit ihm.
|
|
Negation
|
Wo(r) + Prep + nicht
|
Woran denkst du nicht?
|
|
Plural
|
Wo(r) + Prep
|
Woran arbeiten sie?
|
Formality Spectrum
Worüber sprechen Sie? (Conversation)
Worüber sprichst du? (Conversation)
Worüber quatscht du? (Conversation)
Wovon laberst du? (Conversation)
Wo- vs. Person
Thing
- Womit With what
Person
- Mit wem With whom
Examples by Level
Womit schreibst du?
What are you writing with?
Wofür ist das?
What is that for?
Woran denkst du?
What are you thinking about?
Worauf wartest du?
What are you waiting for?
Wovon sprichst du?
What are you talking about?
Worum geht es?
What is it about?
Worüber lachst du?
What are you laughing about?
Wozu brauchst du das?
What do you need that for?
Wofür hast du dich entschieden?
What did you decide on?
Worauf freust du dich?
What are you looking forward to?
Womit hast du das gemacht?
What did you do that with?
Woran arbeitest du?
What are you working on?
Worüber hast du dich geärgert?
What were you annoyed about?
Wovon hängt das ab?
What does that depend on?
Wozu dient dieses Gerät?
What is this device used for?
Worauf basiert deine Theorie?
What is your theory based on?
Woran mangelt es hier?
What is lacking here?
Womit lässt sich das erklären?
What can that be explained with?
Worum bemühst du dich?
What are you striving for?
Worauf zielst du ab?
What are you aiming at?
Wovon zeugt dieses Verhalten?
What does this behavior testify to?
Worauf läuft das hinaus?
What is that leading to?
Womit ist das zu rechtfertigen?
What can that be justified with?
Woran lässt sich das festmachen?
What can that be pinned down to?
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the question and answer forms.
Learners use Wo- for people.
Learners forget the 'r' before vowels.
Common Mistakes
Mit was?
Womit?
Womit gehst du?
Mit wem gehst du?
Woan?
Woran?
Für was?
Wofür?
Worum geht es?
Worum geht es?
Worauf wartest du?
Worauf wartest du?
Wovon sprichst du?
Wovon sprichst du?
Womit hast du das gemacht?
Womit hast du das gemacht?
Woran arbeitest du?
Woran arbeitest du?
Wofür hast du dich entschieden?
Wofür hast du dich entschieden?
Woran lässt sich das festmachen?
Woran lässt sich das festmachen?
Womit ist das zu rechtfertigen?
Womit ist das zu rechtfertigen?
Worum bemühst du dich?
Worum bemühst du dich?
Worauf zielst du ab?
Worauf zielst du ab?
Sentence Patterns
Womit ___ du ___?
Wofür ___ du dich ___?
Woran ___ du ___?
Worüber ___ du dich ___?
Real World Usage
Woran arbeitest du?
Wofür sind Sie verantwortlich?
Worüber lachst du?
Wofür ist diese Stadt bekannt?
Womit wird das geliefert?
Woran lässt sich das festmachen?
Think 'Wo' for 'What'
No people!
The 'r' rule
Spoken vs. Written
Smart Tips
Always use 'wo(r)-' + preposition.
Check if the preposition starts with a vowel.
Stop yourself and use 'preposition + wem'.
Avoid 'was' + preposition at all costs.
Pronunciation
Stress
The stress is always on the 'wo' or 'wor'.
Question
Womit schreibst du? ↗
Rising intonation for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Wo- is for the 'What', Da- is for the 'That'.
Visual Association
Imagine a 'Wo' robot asking questions about objects, and a 'Da' robot holding the objects.
Rhyme
If it's a thing, use 'wo' at the start, if it's a person, keep 'wem' in your heart.
Story
I asked my computer 'Woran arbeitest du?' (What are you working on?). It replied 'Daran arbeite ich.' (I am working on that). Then I asked my friend 'Mit wem arbeitest du?' (Who are you working with?).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 questions about objects in your room using 'wo-' compounds.
Cultural Notes
Standard usage in all formal settings.
Similar to Germany, but 'was' is even more common in casual speech.
Formal writing follows the standard, but spoken Swiss German often avoids these compounds.
These compounds developed from the combination of the interrogative 'wo' and prepositions.
Conversation Starters
Woran arbeitest du gerade?
Wofür interessierst du dich?
Worüber hast du dich heute gefreut?
Wovon träumst du für die Zukunft?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ schreibst du? (mit)
___ wartest du? (auf)
Find and fix the mistake:
Mit was schreibst du?
Für was interessierst du dich?
Womit gehst du? (referring to a person)
A: ___ sprichst du? B: Ich spreche von meinem Urlaub. (von)
du / woran / arbeitest / ?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ schreibst du? (mit)
___ wartest du? (auf)
Find and fix the mistake:
Mit was schreibst du?
Für was interessierst du dich?
Womit gehst du? (referring to a person)
A: ___ sprichst du? B: Ich spreche von meinem Urlaub. (von)
du / woran / arbeitest / ?
an -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesWhat are you dreaming of?
Womit sprichst du? Mit deiner Mutter?
denkst / gerade / woran / du / ?
Match them up:
Select the correct sentence:
What are you laughing about?
Das ist das Buch, woaus ich lese.
Choose one:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, never. Use 'mit wem', 'für wen', etc.
It's a phonetic bridge to make it easier to pronounce before a vowel.
It's common in speech but considered incorrect in formal writing.
'Wo-' is for questions, 'da-' is for answers.
Most prepositions that take accusative or dative work this way.
Yes, it's the professional way to ask questions.
Yes, but 'was' is more common in casual speech.
You need to learn the verb-preposition combinations.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
¿Con qué?
German uses a single compound word.
Avec quoi
German uses a single compound word.
Womit
None.
Nani de
German uses a prefix.
Ma'a matha
German uses a prefix.
Yong shenme
German uses a prefix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
Formal Reasons: aufgrund (Due to)
Overview `Aufgrund` is a formal German preposition, universally translated as "due to," "on the basis of," or "because o...
German Genitive Preposition: infolge (due to)
Overview `Infolge` is a sophisticated German genitive preposition that translates to "due to," "as a result of," or "in...
Deadlines with 'innerhalb' (Within/Inside)
Overview In German, precision in time is not just a cultural trait; it’s embedded in the grammar. The preposition `inne...
German Pronominal Adverbs (da-compounds)
Overview Pronominaladverbien, commonly known as **`da-compounds`** in German, represent a crucial grammatical mechanism...
For You! German Accusative Preposition (für)
Overview German prepositions serve as essential linguistic connectors, establishing relationships between various senten...
