A2 Pronouns 18 min read Easy

Asking 'Whom' (wen)

Use 'wen' to ask 'whom' when a person is the direct object of a German sentence.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'wen' when you are asking about a person who is the direct object of a verb.

  • Use 'wer' for the subject (who did it): 'Wer liebt dich?'
  • Use 'wen' for the direct object (who is being acted upon): 'Wen liebst du?'
  • Always check if the verb requires the accusative case (most do).
Wen + Verb + Subject?

Overview

The German language meticulously differentiates between the performer of an action and its recipient. Unlike English, which often uses "who" for both subject and object roles, German strictly separates these functions through its case system. When you ask about the subject of a verb—the entity initiating the action—you use wer (who).

However, when your question targets the direct object—the entity directly receiving the action—German requires wen (whom). This distinction is not a mere grammatical nicety; it is fundamental for achieving clarity and correct sentence structure in German. Misapplying wer or wen can profoundly alter your question's meaning, leading to significant miscommunication.

Consider the act of seeing. If you ask Wer sieht? (Who sees?), you are inquiring about the individual doing the seeing. But if your goal is to identify the individual being seen, German necessitates Wen siehst du? (Whom do you see?).

The subtle shift from wer to wen signals a critical change in grammatical function: from the Nominative case (subject) to the Accusative case (direct object). This concept of grammatical case, where words change form based on their role in a sentence, is a bedrock of German. Wen serves as the interrogative pronoun specifically for the accusative case, referring exclusively to people.

It directly asks, "Who is being acted upon?" This rule remains consistent regardless of the person's gender or number, streamlining its application compared to article declension. Mastering wen is a vital step toward constructing grammatically precise and unambiguous questions in German, moving beyond literal translation to embrace the language's inherent logic.

How This Grammar Works

The function of wen is inextricably linked to the German case system, particularly the Accusative case. German operates with four grammatical cases—Nominative, Accusative, Dative, and Genitive—each signifying a distinct role a noun or pronoun fulfills within a sentence. For wer and wen, our focus is primarily on the Nominative and Accusative cases.
The Nominative case identifies the subject of a sentence, which is the entity performing the verb's action. Conversely, the Accusative case identifies the direct object, the entity directly receiving the verb's action.
Wen functions as the interrogative pronoun for the accusative case specifically when asking about a person. This grammatical mechanism mirrors the declension pattern observed in masculine definite and indefinite articles from the Nominative to the Accusative. Just as der (the masculine nominative article) transforms into den(m) (the masculine accusative article) and ein (a masculine nominative indefinite article) becomes einen (a masculine accusative indefinite article), the interrogative pronoun wer transitions to wen.
The addition of the -n ending is a consistent marker of the accusative for masculine forms and, notably, for interrogative pronouns referring to people. This pattern provides a useful mnemonic for recalling the correct form: the accusative -n ending is present.
For instance, in the sentence Ich sehe den(m) Mann (I see the man), den(m) Mann is in the accusative case because der Mann is the direct object of the verb sehen (to see). Similarly, when formulating a question about this man, you would ask Wen siehst du? (Whom do you see?), with wen standing in for the accusative person. This principle holds true irrespective of the grammatical gender of the person being inquired about.
Whether you are asking about der Mann, die Frau, or das Kind, if they are the direct object of the verb, the interrogative pronoun is always wen. This consistency simplifies usage considerably, as wen itself does not decline for gender; its form is solely determined by its accusative case function. A clear understanding of this direct object relationship is paramount for the accurate application of wen.
The following table illustrates the declension of interrogative pronouns when referring to people:
| Case | English (People) | German (People) | Function |
| :------------- | :--------------- | :-------------- | :----------------------------------------------- |
| Nominative | Who | wer | Subject (performer of action) |
| Accusative | Whom | wen | Direct Object (receiver of action) |
| Dative | To whom / For whom | wem | Indirect Object (recipient, benefactor) |\
| Genitive | Whose | wessen | Possession (owner) |

Formation Pattern

1
Constructing a grammatically sound question using wen necessitates adherence to established German sentence structure principles. In most main clauses, German employs a verb-second rule, meaning the conjugated verb consistently occupies the second grammatical position. Wen questions, like all "W-fragen" (W-questions), strategically place the interrogative pronoun at the absolute beginning of the sentence. This placement naturally positions wen in the first grammatical slot, consequently pushing the conjugated verb into the second position.
2
The fundamental structural pattern for a wen question within a main clause is:
3
Wen + Conjugated Verb + Subject + ... (rest of the sentence)
4
Let's systematically break down the formation into clear, actionable steps:
5
Identify the Verb and its Transitivity: Begin by determining the verb you intend to use. Crucially, this verb must be a transitive verb, which inherently requires a direct object to complete its meaning. Verbs such as lieben (to love), sehen (to see), treffen (to meet), rufen (to call), fragen (to ask), and einladen (to invite) are typical examples. These verbs naturally prompt the question "Whom or what?"
6
Confirm the Object is a Person: Remember that wen is used exclusively when your question concerns a person. If the direct object is an inanimate object, a concept, or an animal, you would typically use was (what) instead.
7
Place wen at the Start: Always initiate your question with wen. This immediately signals to the listener or reader that you are inquiring about an accusative person.
8
Position the Conjugated Verb: Immediately after wen, place the main verb, ensuring it is correctly conjugated to match the subject of the sentence. This step maintains the strict verb-second rule, a cornerstone of German sentence construction.
9
Insert the Subject: The subject of the sentence—the person or entity performing the action—comes directly after the conjugated verb. For example, in Wen siehst du?, du is the subject.
10
Add Remaining Information: Any other elements of the sentence, such as adverbs of time, place, or other objects, follow the subject in a logical order.
11
Example Breakdown:
12
To construct the question "Whom are you calling?":
13
Verb: anrufen (to call) – this is a transitive verb.
14
Object: a person.
15
Wen (occupies 1st position).
16
rufst (conjugated form of anrufen for du, occupies 2nd position).
17
du (the subject, follows the verb).
18
an (the separable prefix of anrufen moves to the end of the sentence).
19
Result: Wen rufst du an?
20
Pattern Summary Table:
21
| Position 1 | Position 2 (Conjugated Verb) | Position 3 (Subject) | Remaining Sentence Parts |
22
| :------------ | :--------------------------- | :------------------- | :------------------------------------- |\
23
| Wen | besuchst | du | heute? (Whom are you visiting today?) |\
24
| Wen | liebt | er | wirklich? (Whom does he truly love?) |\
25
| Wen | hat | sie | gesehen? (Whom did she see?) |
26
Remember that separable prefixes, such as an- in anrufen or ein- in einladen, will detach from the verb and move to the very end of the sentence in a main clause. This methodical approach guarantees both correct word order and accurate case usage.

When To Use It

You must employ wen whenever the expected answer to your question would be a person or people in the Accusative case. This scenario primarily arises under two distinct grammatical conditions: when utilizing transitive verbs that demand a direct object, and when specific prepositions that always govern the Accusative are present.
1. With Transitive Verbs (Direct Objects)
The most prevalent application of wen is to inquire about the direct object of a transitive verb. These are verbs that inherently require someone or something to receive their action. If that "someone" is a person, wen is the appropriate and grammatically correct interrogative pronoun.
Identifying transitive verbs is often intuitive; if you can ask "Whom or what?" after the verb, it likely takes a direct object.
  • Verbs of Perception and Cognition: These verbs describe sensory input or mental processes that directly affect a person.
  • Wen siehst du im Café? (Whom do you see in the cafe?)
  • Wen hörst du dort sprechen? (Whom do you hear speaking there?)
  • Wen kennst du hier? (Whom do you know here?)
  • Verbs of Communication and Interaction: These involve directed action towards another person.
  • Wen rufst du an? (Whom are you calling?)
  • Wen fragst du um Hilfe? (Whom are you asking for help?)
  • Wen triffst du später? (Whom are you meeting later?)
  • Verbs of Emotion and Affect: These verbs express feelings directed towards individuals.
  • Wen liebst du am meisten? (Whom do you love the most?)
  • Wen magst du in deiner Klasse? (Whom do you like in your class?)
  • Verbs of Action and Invitation: These denote actions performed upon or directed at others.
  • Wen lädst du zur Party ein? (Whom are you inviting to the party?)
  • Wen besuchst du am Wochenende? (Whom are you visiting on the weekend?)
2. With Accusative Prepositions
Certain German prepositions always trigger the Accusative case for the noun or pronoun that follows them. When one of these prepositions is included in a question and refers to a person, you must use wen after it. In these instances, the preposition itself dictates the case, overriding any other potential case requirements of the verb in the sentence.
The most common prepositions that consistently govern the Accusative are für (for), durch (through), entlang (along), gegen (against), ohne (without), and um (around/at a time). While entlang often comes after the noun, in questions it behaves similarly.
  • Für wen ist dieses Geschenk? (For whom is this gift?)
  • Here, für requires the accusative, so wen is correct. The answer would be a person in the accusative, e.g., Das Geschenk ist für meine(f) Mutter.
  • Durch wen hast du das erfahren? (Through whom did you find that out?)
  • durch dictates the accusative case.
  • Gegen wen spielst du heute? (Against whom are you playing today?)
  • gegen unequivocally requires the accusative.
  • Ohne wen möchtest du nicht reisen? (Without whom would you not like to travel?)
  • ohne is an accusative preposition.
  • Um wen machst du dir Sorgen? (About whom are you worrying?)
  • The idiomatic phrase sich Sorgen machen um (to worry about) always takes the accusative, hence um wen.
It is critical to commit to memory both the verbs that consistently take direct objects (accusative) and the prepositions that govern the accusative case to correctly apply wen. This systematic understanding not only prevents frequent errors but also ensures robust grammatical accuracy in your German.

Common Mistakes

Learners of German frequently encounter specific pitfalls when attempting to use wen, primarily stemming from direct translation habits from English or an incomplete grasp of the German case system. Addressing these precise errors is paramount for mastering wen.
1. Confusing wer and wen:
This is by far the most common error. English uses "who" for both the subject and object roles (e.g., "Who called?" and "Who did you call?"). In German, this grammatical distinction is obligatory, and mixing them fundamentally alters sentence meaning.
  • Incorrect: Wer suchst du? (Literally: "Who is searching for you?" or "Who is doing the seeking?")
  • Why it's wrong: wer is always nominative (subject). If you use wer here, a German speaker interprets wer as the subject performing the action of suchen (to search/seek). The sentence means "Who is searching you?" or "Who is seeking?" (with du being the object). This is grammatically nonsensical or carries a vastly different meaning.
  • Correct: Wen suchst du? (Whom are you looking for?)
  • Here, wen is accusative, correctly identifying the person being sought as the direct object of suchen.
  • Incorrect: Wer liebst du?
  • Why it's wrong: Again, wer assigns the role of the lover to the interrogative pronoun. The literal translation would be "Who loves you?" (where "who" is the subject of lieben).
  • Correct: Wen liebst du? (Whom do you love?)
2. Confusing wen and wem:
While both wen and wem inquire about people, they belong to different cases and signify distinct grammatical functions. Wen is Accusative (direct object), whereas wem is Dative (indirect object, recipient, or object of a dative preposition/verb).
  • Wen (Accusative) asks "Whom?" (direct object). It answers the question Wen oder was? (Whom or what?)
  • Wen hast du gestern getroffen? (Whom did you meet yesterday?) – Answer: Ich habe meinen(m) Freund getroffen.
  • Wem (Dative) asks "To whom?" or "For whom?" (indirect object). It answers the question Wem?
  • Wem gibst du das Buch? (To whom are you giving the book?) – Answer: Ich gebe dem(m) Lehrer das Buch.
  • Wem hilfst du? (Whom are you helping? / To whom are you giving help?) – Note: helfen is a dative verb. Answer: Ich helfe meinem(m) Bruder.
The choice between wen and wem hinges entirely on whether the person is the direct object (accusative) or the indirect/dative object, determined by the verb or preposition.
3. Incorrectly applying wen for things:
It is imperative to remember that wen is exclusively reserved for people. If your question concerns a non-human object (a thing, concept, or animal) acting as the direct object, you must use was.
  • Incorrect: Wen hast du gekauft? (if referring to a car, a book, or a pet)
  • Why it's wrong: wen semantically implies that a person was purchased, which is almost always unintended and often disturbing.
  • Correct: Was hast du gekauft? (What did you buy?)
4. Neglecting prepositions that govern Accusative:
Even in the absence of a verb that inherently demands the accusative, certain prepositions will compel the use of wen if the question refers to a person. Learners frequently overlook this crucial rule, leading to errors.
  • Incorrect: Ohne wer bist du gekommen?
  • Why it's wrong: ohne is an accusative preposition, which necessitates an accusative pronoun to follow it. wer is nominative.
  • Correct: Ohne wen bist du gekommen? (Without whom did you come?)
By systematically analyzing the grammatical function of the person in the sentence (subject, direct object, indirect object) and consistently considering the influence of governing prepositions, you can effectively avoid these prevalent errors and confidently master the correct application of wen.

Real Conversations

Moving beyond theoretical understanding, recognizing and naturally employing wen in everyday German conversations is a mark of growing fluency. Modern German communication, whether in casual exchanges or formal settings, heavily relies on the correct application of cases, making wen an indispensable component. The following examples reflect typical interactions you might encounter, showcasing wen in authentic contexts.

Casual Social Settings / Texting:

In informal contexts, such as conversations among friends or within messaging applications, wen is utilized efficiently and concisely, often reflecting spoken patterns.

- A: Hey, wir(pl) gehen ins Kino. Kommst du mit? (Hey, we're going to the cinema. Are you coming along?)

B: Ja klar! Wen treffen wir da? (Yeah, sure! Whom are we meeting there?)

- Here, wen correctly asks about the direct object of the verb treffen (to meet), indicating a person.

- A: Ich(sg) hab gerade(adv) jemanden(m) an der Uni gesehen. (I just saw someone at university.)

B: Oh, wen denn? (Oh, whom then?)

- This is a common, slightly elliptical way to ask "Whom did you see?" when the context of seeing is clear from the previous statement. The denn adds an element of natural curiosity.

- A: Wen hast du eigentlich gestern(adv) angerufen? (Whom did you actually call yesterday?)

B: Meine(f) Schwester. Sie(f) hatte ein Problem. (My sister. She had a problem.)

- A direct question about the recipient of the call, where Meine Schwester is the direct object.

Work / Academic Contexts:

Even in more formal or professional environments, wen is crucial for precise and unambiguous communication, particularly when discussing delegation, responsibilities, or coordination efforts. Its use ensures clarity in roles and actions.

- Projektleiter: Wen sollen wir für diese(f) Aufgabe kontaktieren? (Project manager: Whom should we contact for this task?)

- The direct object of kontaktieren (to contact) is clearly a person, making wen mandatory.

- Dozentin: Wen müssen Sie(f, formal) noch konsultieren, bevor Sie(f, formal) Ihre(f, formal) Recherche abschließen? (Lecturer: Whom do you still need to consult before you finish your research?)

- konsultieren (to consult) is a transitive verb that requires an accusative object, hence wen.

- Kollege A: Ich weiß nicht, wen ich(sg) fragen kann. (I don't know whom I can ask.)

- This example features a subordinate clause (...wen ich fragen kann). Note the characteristic German word order in subordinate clauses, where the conjugated verb (kann) moves to the very end. Despite this, the interrogative pronoun wen still initiates the subordinate clause, maintaining its function.

C

Cultural Insight

Unlike the English "whom," which is often perceived as overly formal, archaic, or even pedantic in modern speech, wen in German is a fully integrated and frequently used part of everyday language across all registers. Native German speakers employ it without hesitation in both casual and formal discourse. Using wer where wen is required will immediately sound incorrect and can genuinely confuse listeners, as it fundamentally shifts the grammatical role of the "who" in the sentence. This highlights the profound importance of mastering the German case system; it is not a mere stylistic preference but a functional necessity for clear, accurate, and unambiguous communication.

Quick FAQ

These frequently asked questions directly address common points of confusion and misconceptions learners often have regarding the usage of wen.
  • Q: Is wen used only for masculine people, since der (masculine article) changes to den (accusative masculine)?
  • A: No, this is a very common and understandable misunderstanding. While the change from wer to wen follows a pattern similar to masculine article declension, wen itself is used for all genders (male, female, neuter, e.g., der Mann, die Frau, das Kind) and plural forms, as long as the person or people are the direct object in the sentence. For example, Wen liebt er? could refer equally to die Frau, den(m) Mann, or even a group like die(pl) Kinder. The grammatical "masculine-like" behavior of wer becoming wen is a characteristic of the interrogative pronoun's own declension, not a restriction on the gender or number of the person it refers to.
  • Q: Can I ever use wer when I mean "whom" in German?
  • A: Grammatically, no, never. Using wer when wen is required fundamentally alters the sentence's meaning and makes it incorrect. Wer always functions solely as the Nominative subject. If you incorrectly say Wer siehst du?, a native speaker hears "Who sees you?" (meaning "who" is the subject doing the seeing), not "Whom do you see?". To ask "Whom do you see?" (where "whom" is the object being seen), you must always use wen.
  • Q: What is the primary difference between wen and was?
  • A: The distinction is straightforward and absolute:
  • Wen is used exclusively to ask about people (as a direct object in the accusative case).
  • Was is used to ask about things, objects, concepts, or animals (as a direct object in the accusative case).
  • Example: Wen triffst du? (Whom are you meeting? - a person). Was trinkst du? (What are you drinking? - a thing).
  • Q: Does the form of wen change if I'm asking about multiple people (plural)?
  • A: No, the form wen remains constant regardless of whether you are inquiring about a single person or multiple people. The interrogative pronoun wen does not inflect for number. For example, Wen hast du eingeladen? could be asking about one friend, a couple, or a whole group of friends. The form of wen itself does not change.
  • Q: Are there any verbs that are particularly tricky and might cause confusion between wen and wem?
  • A: Yes, certain verbs are known as dative verbs because they inherently take a dative object rather than an accusative one. These verbs demand wem when asking about the person involved. Common dative verbs include helfen (to help), danken (to thank), gefallen (to please), glauben (to believe), antworten (to answer), gratulieren (to congratulate), zuhören (to listen to). For these verbs, you must use wem (dative) to ask about the person receiving the action, not wen.
  • Example: Wem hilfst du? (Whom are you helping? / To whom are you giving help?), not Wen hilfst du?
  • Example: Wem dankst du? (To whom are you thanking?), not Wen dankst du?
  • Always verify the verb's case requirement. If it's a dative verb, use wem. If it's a transitive verb requiring a direct object, use wen.
  • Q: How can I reliably identify if a verb is transitive and takes an accusative object?
  • A: A highly effective heuristic is to ask the question "Whom or what?" (Wen oder was?) directly after the verb. If the answer is a person or a thing that directly receives the action expressed by the verb, it is almost certainly a transitive verb requiring the accusative case. For example, with sehen (to see), you can ask "Wen oder was siehst du?" (Whom or what do you see?), which has a logical answer. Many German verbs are transitive. When in any doubt, consulting a reliable dictionary or a comprehensive German grammar resource that specifies a verb's case government (e.g., sehen (Akk.), helfen (Dat.)) is always the most accurate method.

3. Interrogative Pronoun Cases

Case Pronoun Usage
Nominative
Wer
Subject
Accusative
Wen
Direct Object
Dative
Wem
Indirect Object
Genitive
Wessen
Possession

Meanings

The interrogative pronoun 'wen' is the accusative form of 'wer', used to ask about a person who is the direct object of an action.

1

Direct Object

Asking about the person receiving the action.

“Wen rufst du an?”

“Wen suchst du?”

Reference Table

Reference table for Asking 'Whom' (wen)
Form Structure Example
Question
Wen + Verb + Subj?
Wen siehst du?
Past
Wen + Aux + Subj + Part?
Wen hast du gesehen?
Modal
Wen + Modal + Subj + Inf?
Wen willst du sehen?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Wen suchen Sie?

Wen suchen Sie? (Asking for someone)

Neutral
Wen suchst du?

Wen suchst du? (Asking for someone)

Informal
Wen suchst du?

Wen suchst du? (Asking for someone)

Slang
Wen suchst'n?

Wen suchst'n? (Asking for someone)

The Wer/Wen Split

Who?

Subject

  • Wer Who (does action)

Object

  • Wen Whom (receives action)
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Examples by Level

1

Wen siehst du?

Whom do you see?

2

Wen liebst du?

Whom do you love?

3

Wen rufst du an?

Whom are you calling?

4

Wen suchst du?

Whom are you looking for?

1

Wen hast du gestern getroffen?

Whom did you meet yesterday?

2

Wen möchtest du einladen?

Whom would you like to invite?

3

Wen hast du im Supermarkt gesehen?

Whom did you see at the supermarket?

4

Wen fragst du um Hilfe?

Whom do you ask for help?

1

Wen würdest du auf eine einsame Insel mitnehmen?

Whom would you take to a desert island?

2

Wen hat der Lehrer für das Projekt ausgewählt?

Whom did the teacher choose for the project?

3

Wen soll ich anrufen, wenn es ein Problem gibt?

Whom should I call if there is a problem?

4

Wen hat sie bei der Party kennengelernt?

Whom did she meet at the party?

1

Wen haben die Ermittler als Hauptverdächtigen identifiziert?

Whom did the investigators identify as the main suspect?

2

Wen sollte man in dieser Situation konsultieren?

Whom should one consult in this situation?

3

Wen hat das Komitee für den Preis nominiert?

Whom did the committee nominate for the prize?

4

Wen konnte er in der Menge ausmachen?

Whom could he make out in the crowd?

1

Wen auch immer du fragst, die Antwort wird dieselbe sein.

Whomsoever you ask, the answer will be the same.

2

Wen hat man damit beauftragt, die Verhandlungen zu führen?

Whom has one tasked with leading the negotiations?

3

Wen hätte er wohl gewählt, wenn er die Wahl gehabt hätte?

Whom would he have chosen if he had had the choice?

4

Wen man auch betrachtet, jeder hat seine eigene Meinung.

Whomever one looks at, everyone has their own opinion.

1

Wen man auch immer als Sündenbock auserkoren hat, es war eine Fehlentscheidung.

Whomever they chose as a scapegoat, it was a wrong decision.

2

Wen sollte man wohl eher um Rat fragen als einen Experten?

Whom should one rather ask for advice than an expert?

3

Wen er auch immer traf, er hinterließ einen bleibenden Eindruck.

Whomever he met, he left a lasting impression.

4

Wen man auch immer in diese Position beruft, die Herausforderungen bleiben.

Whomever one appoints to this position, the challenges remain.

Easily Confused

Asking 'Whom' (wen) vs Wer vs Wen

Learners use them interchangeably.

Asking 'Whom' (wen) vs Wen vs Wem

Both are question words.

Asking 'Whom' (wen) vs Wen vs Wessen

Both start with W.

Common Mistakes

✗

Wer siehst du?

✓

Wen siehst du?

The person seen is the object.
✗

Wen ist das?

✓

Wer ist das?

The verb 'sein' takes nominative.
✗

Wen hilft er?

✓

Wem hilft er?

The verb 'helfen' takes dative.
✗

Wen er auch immer trifft, er ist nett.

✓

Wen er auch immer trifft, er ist nett.

This is actually correct, but often confused with 'wer' in complex clauses.

Sentence Patterns

Wen ___ du ___?

Wen hast du ___ ___?

Wen möchtest du ___ ___?

Wen würdest du ___ ___?

Real World Usage

Texting very common

Wen triffst du?

Job Interview common

Wen haben Sie betreut?

Travel occasional

Wen kann ich fragen?

Social Media common

Wen hast du markiert?

Food Delivery rare

Wen soll ich anrufen?

Classroom very common

Wen hat der Lehrer gerufen?

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💡

Check the verb

If the verb takes the accusative, use 'wen'.
⚠️

Don't use 'wer'

Never use 'wer' for a direct object.
🎯

Think of 'whom'

If you can say 'whom' in English, use 'wen' in German.
💬

Be precise

Germans value correct case usage.

Smart Tips

Ask yourself: Is this person doing the action or receiving it?

Wer hast du gesehen? → Wen hast du gesehen?

Transitive verbs always take the accusative.

Wer rufst du an? → Wen rufst du an?

If it's an object, it's 'wen'.

Wer hast du eingeladen? → Wen hast du eingeladen?

Pause and think about the case.

Wer hast du gefragt? → Wen hast du gefragt?

Pronunciation

/vɛn/

Wen

The 'e' is short, like in 'bed'.

Question intonation

Wen siehst du ↗?

Rising pitch at the end.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Wen is for the 'When' you are doing something TO someone.

Visual Association

Imagine a person (Wer) throwing a ball at another person (Wen). The person being hit is the 'Wen'.

Rhyme

Wer is the doer, Wen is the receiver, that's the German way to be a believer.

Story

Hans is looking for his friend. He asks 'Wen suche ich?'. He sees a man. He asks 'Wen sehe ich?'. He calls his friend. He asks 'Wen rufe ich an?'.

Word Web

WerWenWemWessenObjektSubjektAkkusativ

Challenge

Write 5 questions using 'Wen' about people in your life.

Cultural Notes

Germans are very precise about cases. Using 'wer' instead of 'wen' sounds like a child or a non-native speaker.

Derived from Old High German 'wen', the accusative of 'wer'.

Conversation Starters

“

Wen hast du heute gesehen?

“

Wen würdest du gerne treffen?

“

Wen hast du als Kind bewundert?

“

Wen rufst du an, wenn du Hilfe brauchst?

Journal Prompts

Describe your best friend. Who are they?
Write about a person you met recently.
Who would you invite to dinner?
Reflect on someone who influenced your life.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Select the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ hast du gesehen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Direct object.
Fill in the blank.

___ rufst du an?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Direct object.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Wer hast du getroffen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen hast du getroffen?
Object needs Wen.
Reorder the words. Sentence Building

gesehen / du / Wen / hast / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen hast du gesehen?
Correct word order.
Match the question to the answer. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich suche meinen Bruder.
Matches object.
Select the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ liebst du?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Direct object.
Fill in the blank.

___ hast du eingeladen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Direct object.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Wer suchst du?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen suchst du?
Object needs Wen.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Select the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ hast du gesehen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Direct object.
Fill in the blank.

___ rufst du an?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Direct object.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Wer hast du getroffen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen hast du getroffen?
Object needs Wen.
Reorder the words. Sentence Building

gesehen / du / Wen / hast / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen hast du gesehen?
Correct word order.
Match the question to the answer. Match Pairs

Wen suchst du?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich suche meinen Bruder.
Matches object.
Select the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ liebst du?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Direct object.
Fill in the blank.

___ hast du eingeladen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Direct object.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Wer suchst du?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen suchst du?
Object needs Wen.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Put the words in the correct order Sentence Reorder

du / wen / liebst / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen liebst du?
Translate to German Translation

Whom are you looking for?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen suchst du?
Match the question with the correct answer Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen triffst du? - Meinen Freund.
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Für ___ ist das Geschenk?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: wen
Which question asks about the OBJECT of the action? Multiple Choice

Select the correct question:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen liebst du?
Correct the mistake Error Correction

Ohne wer gehst du ins Kino?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ohne wen gehst du ins Kino?
Order the question Sentence Reorder

heute / wen / wir / treffen / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen treffen wir heute?
Wer or Wen? Fill in the Blank

___ hat mein Handy gestohlen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer
Formal question Multiple Choice

Whom are you (formal) calling?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen rufen Sie an?
Translate Translation

Whom do you see?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen siehst du?

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, 'wen' is specifically for people.

No, use 'was' for objects.

Then use 'wem'.

It is standard German, used in all registers.

Because it is the accusative case.

No, that is incorrect. Use 'Wer ist das'.

Yes, it is standard across German-speaking regions.

Write sentences with transitive verbs.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

a quién

Spanish requires the preposition 'a'.

French moderate

qui

German distinguishes cases.

English high

whom

English 'whom' is rare in speech.

Japanese moderate

dare o

Particle 'o' marks the object.

Arabic low

man

Case is marked differently.

Chinese low

shei

No case inflection.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Asking 'Who?' (wer, wen, wem, wessen)
Next
German 'Which': Using welcher, welche, welches

Learn These First

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