A1 Word Order 12 min read Easy

German Yes/No Questions: Verb First (Entscheidungsfragen)

To ask a yes/no question in German, simply swap the positions of the verb and the subject.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In German yes/no questions, the verb always jumps to the very front of the sentence.

  • Start with the verb: 'Kommst du?' (Are you coming?)
  • Keep the subject in second position: 'Kommst du?'
  • End with a question mark: 'Kommst du?'
Verb + Subject + Rest + ?

Overview

German yes/no questions, known as Entscheidungsfragen, are fundamental to basic communication. Unlike English, which frequently employs auxiliary verbs such as "do," "does," or forms of "to be" to construct questions (e.g., "Do you speak German?" or "Are you a student?"), German signals an interrogative sentence primarily through word order. The conjugated verb occupies the initial position in the sentence, directly preceding the subject.

This structural inversion immediately informs the listener that a question is being posed, typically eliciting a "Ja" (yes) or "Nein" (no) response. Mastering this pattern at the A1 level is crucial, as it forms the basis for direct interaction and understanding the intrinsic logic of German sentence construction. It demonstrates a foundational grasp of how German prioritizes verb placement to convey grammatical function.

How This Grammar Works

The German language operates on strict word order principles. In declarative sentences (statements), the conjugated verb typically occupies the second position (the V2 rule), with the subject often preceding it. For instance, in Du lernst Deutsch (You learn German), lernst (learn) is in the second position.
However, to transform such a statement into a yes/no question, the grammatical function shifts from assertion to inquiry. This shift is achieved by moving the conjugated verb from its usual second position to the absolute first position in the sentence. The subject then follows immediately after the verb.
This inversion is not merely a stylistic choice; it is a grammatical requirement that distinguishes an Entscheidungsfrage from a statement or a W-question. The verb's initial placement acts as a clear and unambiguous marker for a direct question, requiring no additional interrogative particles or auxiliary verbs.
Möchtest du einen Kaffee? (Would you like a coffee?)
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? (Do you speak German?)
Ist das deine Tasche? (Is that your bag?)
This mechanism highlights a core aspect of German syntax: the verb's pivotal role in determining sentence type and meaning. The elegance of Entscheidungsfragen lies in their directness and reliance on the verb's mobility to convey a simple, confirmable query.

Word Order Rules

The word order for German yes/no questions follows a rigid structure, making it highly predictable and a cornerstone of A1 grammar. The primary rule is that the conjugated finite verb always takes the first position. This means the verb form that agrees with the subject (e.g., bin for ich, hast for du) initiates the sentence.
Immediately following the verb is the subject of the sentence, which can be a pronoun (ich, du, er, sie, es, wir, ihr, Sie) or a noun phrase (der Mann, die Frau, das Kind). The remainder of the sentence, including objects, adverbs, and other complements, then follows in a structured sequence after the subject. This fixed order ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in direct questions.
All other sentence elements, including direct objects, indirect objects, temporal expressions, and prepositions, slot into the sentence after the subject, maintaining their relative positions as they would in a declarative sentence. The only change is the verb and subject swapping their initial positions.
Pattern:
| Position 1 | Position 2 | Rest of the sentence |
| :------------------- | :------------ | :------------------- |
| Conjugated Verb | Subject | Object / Adverbials |
Kommt (Verb) er (Subject) heute Abend? (Rest) - Is he coming tonight?
Haben (Verb) Sie (Subject) die Hausaufgaben (Object) gemacht? (Rest) - Did you do the homework?
This consistent pattern removes the need for question marks in speech, as the listener identifies the interrogative nature solely from the syntax.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming a German yes/no question from a statement is a straightforward two-step process involving the inversion of the verb and subject. Begin with a standard declarative sentence where the conjugated verb is in the second position. Then, relocate this conjugated verb to the very first position, and place the subject directly after it. The rest of the sentence components retain their original order relative to each other. It is imperative that the verb conjugation remains correct, agreeing with the subject in person and number. Any misconjugation will render the question grammatically incorrect, irrespective of the word order.
2
Step 1: Identify the Statement
3
Du bist müde. (You are tired.)
4
Here, Du is the subject, and bist (from sein, to be) is the conjugated verb in the second position.
5
Step 2: Invert Verb and Subject
6
Move bist to the first position, and du to the second position.
7
Bist du müde? (Are you tired?)
8
Here are further examples illustrating this transformation across different subjects:
9
| Statement | Question | Translation |
10
| :-------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------- |
11
| Ich bin Student. | Bin ich Student? | Am I a student? |
12
| Du hast Zeit. | Hast du Zeit? | Do you have time? |
13
| Der Kaffee ist kalt. | Ist der Kaffee kalt? | Is the coffee cold? |
14
| Wir gehen morgen ins Kino. | Gehen wir morgen ins Kino? | Are we going to the cinema tomorrow? |
15
| Ihr wohnt zusammen. | Wohnt ihr zusammen? | Do you (plural) live together? |
16
| Sie (formal) haben die Quittung. | Haben Sie (formal) die Quittung? | Do you (formal) have the receipt? |
17
This inversion applies universally, regardless of the verb's complexity or the sentence's length. The key is always the conjugated verb and its immediate follower, the subject.

When To Use It

Yes/no questions are deployed whenever you seek a simple confirmation or denial, requiring a concise "Ja" or "Nein" response. Their utility lies in their efficiency for clarifying facts, making simple requests, or verifying information without inviting elaborate explanations. This makes them indispensable in daily interactions, from casual conversations to more formal settings.
They are ideal for situations where you already possess some information and need to confirm its accuracy or check a specific condition.
Typical scenarios for using Entscheidungsfragen include:
  • Confirming availability: Hast du heute Abend Zeit? (Do you have time tonight?)
  • Checking preferences: Magst du Pizza? (Do you like pizza?)
  • Verifying facts: Ist das dein Buch? (Is that your book?)
  • Making polite inquiries: Können Sie mir helfen? (Can you help me?)
  • Initiating a conversation: Kommst du aus Deutschland? (Are you from Germany?)
Consider a situation where you are meeting a new acquaintance: Sprichst du Englisch? (Do you speak English?) immediately ascertains a common language. Or, when planning an activity: Gehen wir zusammen ins Kino? (Are we going to the cinema together?) directly proposes an action. These questions function as closed queries, designed to narrow down possibilities rather than open up discussion, contrasting sharply with the information-seeking nature of W-questions.
The answer is either affirmative or negative, providing a clear path forward in communication.

Common Mistakes

Learners often encounter specific pitfalls when forming German yes/no questions, predominantly stemming from interference from their native language, particularly English. The most pervasive error is attempting to use rising intonation alone to signify a question without inverting the verb and subject. In English, a statement like "You are tired?" can become a question through vocal pitch. In German, Du bist müde? (with rising intonation) sounds like a bewildered repetition of a statement or an expression of disbelief, not a standard question. The grammatical structure must change through inversion.
Incorrect
✗** Du kommst aus Berlin? (as a question with intonation)
✓** Kommst du aus Berlin? (Verb first)
Another significant mistake is the erroneous use of machen (to make/do) as an auxiliary verb, mirroring English "do." German does not employ an equivalent auxiliary verb for forming questions. Verbs in German are self-sufficient in their interrogative function.
✗** Machst du rauchen? (Attempting "Do you smoke?")
✓** Rauchst du? (Do you smoke?)
Furthermore, incorrect verb conjugation for the given subject will invalidate the question, even if the word order is correct. An A1 learner must ensure the verb's ending matches the pronoun or noun acting as the subject. For instance, saying Kommst ich? instead of Komme ich? is incorrect because kommst is for du and komme is for ich.
Finally, while not strictly a word order error, forgetting the gender and case of nouns can undermine the clarity of a question. For example, Ist Tisch frei? instead of Ist der Tisch frei? lacks the necessary article and sounds unnatural. Always include the correct article (der, die, das) and ensure it reflects the noun's gender and case, especially in a beginner context where such details are often crucial for comprehension.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Understanding Entscheidungsfragen is enhanced by contrasting them with other German sentence structures, particularly W-questions (Informationsfragen) and declarative statements (Aussagesätze). While all three are fundamental, their distinct word order patterns serve different communicative purposes.
1. W-Questions (Informationsfragen):
These questions seek specific information and begin with an interrogative pronoun or adverb, often starting with "W" (e.g., wer - who, was - what, wo - where, wann - when, wie - how, warum - why). In W-questions, the W-word occupies the first position, and the conjugated verb remains in the second position, followed by the subject. This maintains the V2 rule for the verb while prioritizing the interrogative word.
| Structure | Example | Translation |
| :------------------ | :----------------------------- | :--------------------------- |
| W-word + Verb + Subject + Rest | Wo wohnst du? | Where do you live? |
| W-word + Verb + Subject + Rest | Was machst du? | What are you doing? |
Compare this to a yes/no question:
  • Yes/No: Wohnst du in Berlin? (Do you live in Berlin?)
  • W-Question: Wo wohnst du? (Where do you live?)
2. Declarative Statements (Aussagesätze):
Statements convey information and typically follow an Subject + Verb + Object/Rest (SVO) order, with the conjugated verb firmly in the second position. The statement asserts a fact, whereas the yes/no question inquires about it.
| Structure | Example | Translation |
| :------------------ | :----------------------------- | :--------------------------- |
| Subject + Verb + Rest | Ich komme aus Deutschland. | I come from Germany. |
| Subject + Verb + Rest | Er arbeitet heute nicht. | He is not working today. |
Contrast with yes/no questions:
  • Statement: Du sprichst Deutsch. (You speak German.)
  • Yes/No: Sprichst du Deutsch? (Do you speak German?)
The ability to correctly distinguish and form these structures is essential for producing grammatically sound and contextually appropriate German sentences.

Real Conversations

In contemporary German communication, Entscheidungsfragen are ubiquitous across various registers, from informal text messages to more formal professional exchanges. Their conciseness makes them particularly suitable for rapid communication and confirming immediate details. Observing their usage in authentic contexts helps solidify comprehension beyond textbook examples.

Informal/Casual:

- Texting a friend: Bist du noch zu Hause? Treffen wir uns später? (Are you still at home? Shall we meet later?)

- At a café: Hast du schon bestellt? (Have you already ordered?)

- Social media comment: Ist das Bild in Berlin entstanden? (Was that picture taken in Berlin?)

Formal/Professional:

- Email to a colleague: Haben Sie die Präsentation erhalten? (Did you receive the presentation?)

- In a meeting: Ist der Bericht bis Freitag fertig? (Will the report be finished by Friday?)

- Customer service: Kann ich Ihnen helfen? (Can I help you?)

These examples demonstrate how the verb-first structure efficiently conveys an inquiry in different social settings. The questions are direct, expecting a simple confirmation or denial, and reflect the pragmatic nature of German communication. Pay attention to how native speakers use these questions in films, podcasts, or online interactions; you will notice the consistent application of the verb-first rule, underscoring its communicative reliability.

Quick FAQ

Q: Do I need to change my intonation when asking a German yes/no question?

While word order is the primary indicator, a slight rise in pitch at the end of the sentence is natural and common among native speakers. However, this intonation alone, without the verb-subject inversion, is not sufficient to form a grammatically correct yes/no question.

Q: Does this rule apply to modal verbs like können (can), müssen (must), or wollen (want)?

Yes, absolutely. The conjugated modal verb takes the first position, and the main verb (infinitive) goes to the end of the sentence, as is typical with modal verbs in German sentences. For example: Kannst du mir helfen? (Can you help me?); Musst du heute arbeiten? (Do you have to work today?).

Q: How do separable verbs work in yes/no questions?

With separable verbs (e.g., anrufen - to call, einkaufen - to shop), only the prefix separates from the verb stem and moves to the very end of the sentence. The conjugated verb stem takes the first position. For example, from Du rufst mich an. (You are calling me.), the question is Rufst du mich an? (Are you calling me?); from Kaufst du heute ein? (Are you shopping today?).

Q: Is it acceptable to answer a yes/no question with just "Ja" or "Nein"?

Grammatically, it is correct. However, in many social contexts, a simple "Ja" or "Nein" can sound abrupt. It is often more polite and natural to provide a slightly expanded answer, such as Ja, gern. (Yes, gladly.), Nein, leider nicht. (No, unfortunately not.), or Ja, das stimmt. (Yes, that's right.). This adds a nuance of politeness and provides a fuller response.

Q: Can a statement ever function as a question in German?

Grammatically, no. However, in very specific informal contexts or to express extreme surprise or disbelief, a statement with a strong rising intonation might be used, similar to English: Du kommst aus Berlin?! (You're from Berlin?!). This is an exception and should not be confused with standard Entscheidungsfragen. For regular inquiries, always use verb-subject inversion.

Q: What about questions with negation, like "Don't you have time?"

Negation with nicht in a yes/no question typically places nicht after the conjugated verb and subject, usually before the element it negates, or at the end of the sentence if it negates the entire clause. For example: Hast du nicht Zeit? (Don't you have time?) or Kommst du heute nicht? (Aren't you coming today?). This aligns with the general rules for negation placement in German sentences.

3. Verb-First Question Structure

Position 1 (Verb) Position 2 (Subject) Rest of Sentence Punctuation
Kommst
du
nach Hause
?
Trinkt
er
{der|m} Kaffee
?
Sind
wir
bereit
?
Haben
Sie
{die|f} Zeit
?
Lernen
sie
Deutsch
?
Geht
es
dir gut
?

Meanings

This rule is used to form questions that can be answered with 'ja' (yes) or 'nein' (no). It requires moving the conjugated verb to the first position.

1

Basic Inquiry

Asking for confirmation of a fact or action.

“Gehst du nach Hause?”

“Hast du {die|f} Zeit?”

Reference Table

Reference table for German Yes/No Questions: Verb First (Entscheidungsfragen)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + Verb + Object
Du trinkst Kaffee.
Question
Verb + Subject + Object + ?
Trinkst du Kaffee?
Negative Question
Verb + Subject + nicht + Object + ?
Trinkst du nicht Kaffee?
Short Answer (Yes)
Ja + Subject + Verb + Object
Ja, ich trinke Kaffee.
Short Answer (No)
Nein + Subject + Verb + nicht + Object
Nein, ich trinke keinen Kaffee.
Modal Verb Question
Modal + Subject + Object + Infinitive + ?
Kannst du Kaffee trinken?
Formal Question
Verb + Sie + Object + ?
Trinken Sie Kaffee?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Kommen Sie mit?

Kommen Sie mit? (Invitation)

Neutral
Kommst du mit?

Kommst du mit? (Invitation)

Informal
Kommst du mit?

Kommst du mit? (Invitation)

Slang
Kommst mit?

Kommst mit? (Invitation)

Question Types

Questions

Yes/No

  • Verb-First Verb-First

Wh-Questions

  • W-Word First Wh-Word First

English vs German Questions

English
Do you eat? Do you eat?
German
Isst du? Eat you?

Question Decision Tree

1

Is there a question word?

YES
Start with W-word
NO
Start with Verb
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Examples by Level

1

Kommst du mit?

Are you coming along?

2

Ist das {der|m} Hund?

Is that the dog?

3

Hast du {die|f} Zeit?

Do you have time?

4

Lernst du Deutsch?

Are you learning German?

1

Trinkst du gerne {der|m} Tee?

Do you like drinking tea?

2

Gehen wir heute ins Kino?

Are we going to the cinema today?

3

Verstehst du {die|f} Aufgabe?

Do you understand the task?

4

Ist {das|n} Auto neu?

Is the car new?

1

Könntest du mir bitte helfen?

Could you please help me?

2

Haben Sie schon {die|f} E-Mail gelesen?

Have you already read the email?

3

Wäre es möglich, später zu kommen?

Would it be possible to come later?

4

Möchten Sie noch etwas trinken?

Would you like to drink something else?

1

Dürfte ich Sie kurz unterbrechen?

May I interrupt you briefly?

2

Hätten Sie Interesse an einem Treffen?

Would you be interested in a meeting?

3

Sollten wir nicht lieber warten?

Shouldn't we rather wait?

4

Wissen Sie, ob {der|m} Zug pünktlich ist?

Do you know if the train is on time?

1

Glauben Sie, dass das Projekt erfolgreich sein wird?

Do you believe that the project will be successful?

2

Hätten Sie das anders entschieden?

Would you have decided that differently?

3

Können wir davon ausgehen, dass alles bereit ist?

Can we assume that everything is ready?

4

Wäre es nicht ratsam, die Strategie zu ändern?

Wouldn't it be advisable to change the strategy?

1

Dürfte ich Sie bitten, diesen Punkt zu präzisieren?

Might I ask you to clarify this point?

2

Hätten Sie Einwände gegen diesen Vorschlag?

Would you have objections to this proposal?

3

Könnte man nicht argumentieren, dass dies kontraproduktiv ist?

Couldn't one argue that this is counterproductive?

4

Wäre es im Sinne des Unternehmens, hier zu investieren?

Would it be in the interest of the company to invest here?

Easily Confused

German Yes/No Questions: Verb First (Entscheidungsfragen) vs W-Questions

Learners mix up the start of the sentence.

German Yes/No Questions: Verb First (Entscheidungsfragen) vs Declarative Sentences

Learners use question word order for statements.

German Yes/No Questions: Verb First (Entscheidungsfragen) vs Modal Verbs

Learners put the infinitive at the start.

Common Mistakes

✗

Do du kommst?

✓

Kommst du?

German does not use 'do' as a helper verb.
✗

Du kommst?

✓

Kommst du?

The verb must be in the first position.
✗

Kommst du nach Hause?

✓

Kommst du nach Hause?

This is correct, but ensure the verb is conjugated.
✗

Ist {das|n} {der|m} Buch?

✓

Ist das {das|n} Buch?

Check your articles.
✗

Hast du gegessen?

✓

Hast du gegessen?

Correct, but ensure the participle is at the end.
✗

Kannst du helfen mir?

✓

Kannst du mir helfen?

The object usually comes before the infinitive.
✗

Willst du gehen?

✓

Willst du gehen?

Correct, but watch for modal verb placement.
✗

Wäre es möglich zu kommen?

✓

Wäre es möglich, zu kommen?

Infinitive clauses need a comma.
✗

Haben Sie gesehen {das|n}?

✓

Haben Sie das gesehen?

The object should be before the participle.
✗

Könnten Sie sagen mir?

✓

Könnten Sie mir sagen?

Dative object placement.
✗

Hätten Sie gewusst das?

✓

Hätten Sie das gewusst?

Object placement in perfect tense.
✗

Wäre es nicht besser zu warten?

✓

Wäre es nicht besser, zu warten?

Comma usage in infinitive clauses.
✗

Könnte man sagen das?

✓

Könnte man das sagen?

Object placement.

Sentence Patterns

___ du ___?

___ Sie ___?

___ du mir ___?

___ es möglich, ___?

Real World Usage

Ordering food very common

Ist das vegan?

Asking for directions common

Fährt dieser Bus zum Bahnhof?

Job interview common

Haben Sie Erfahrung mit diesem System?

Texting constant

Kommst du heute?

Travel common

Ist dieser Platz frei?

Social media common

Gefällt dir das?

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💡

Focus on the Verb

Always identify the verb first. If you don't know the verb, you can't form the question.
⚠️

No 'Do'

Stop yourself from saying 'Do'. It doesn't exist in German grammar.
🎯

Listen for Intonation

Listen to native speakers. They raise their pitch at the end of these questions.
💬

Be Direct

Don't worry about being rude. Verb-first questions are the standard way to ask for information.

Smart Tips

Identify the verb and move it to the front.

Du hast Zeit. → Hast du Zeit?

Move only the modal verb to the front.

Du kannst schwimmen. → Kannst du schwimmen?

Use the formal 'Sie' and the verb-first structure.

Du willst helfen? → Wollen Sie helfen?

If you don't have a question word, start with the verb.

Das ist richtig? → Ist das richtig?

Pronunciation

/ˈkɔmst duː ↗/

Rising Intonation

Yes/no questions in German typically end with a rising pitch to signal the question.

Rising

Kommst du ↗?

Signals that an answer is expected.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

The Verb is the VIP, it always gets the front seat in a question!

Visual Association

Imagine a sentence as a train. In a statement, the subject is the engine. In a question, the verb engine uncouples and zooms to the very front of the track.

Rhyme

When you want to ask a 'Yes' or 'No', put the verb first and watch it go!

Story

Imagine a German verb named 'Verbi'. Verbi is very impatient. In normal sentences, he waits for the subject. But when a question mark appears, Verbi gets excited and jumps to the front of the line to be the first one to ask the question.

Word Web

VerbFrageSatzbauSubjektInterrogativAntwort

Challenge

Write 5 questions about your day using the verb-first rule. Ask a friend or write them in your journal.

Cultural Notes

Germans value directness. Using the verb-first structure is seen as clear and efficient.

Austrians may use slightly more polite forms like 'Dürfte ich...' even in casual settings.

Swiss German speakers often use the same structure but may add particles like 'gell' at the end.

The V1 structure in Germanic languages is an ancient feature that distinguishes them from Romance languages.

Conversation Starters

“

Trinkst du gerne Kaffee?

“

Hast du heute Zeit?

“

Könnten wir uns morgen treffen?

“

Wäre es für dich in Ordnung, wenn wir später starten?

Journal Prompts

Write 5 questions you would ask a new friend.
Write a dialogue where you ask about a train schedule.
Write a formal email asking for a meeting.
Reflect on a decision. Ask yourself 5 questions about it.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct verb form.

___ du heute Zeit?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Hast
Conjugation for 'du'.
Choose the correct question. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kommst du mit?
Verb-first rule.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Trinkst du Kaffee?
Verb-first rule.
Find the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Do du gehst?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Gehst du?
No do-support.
Build a question from: 'Sie / haben / Hunger'. Sentence Building

Build it.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Haben Sie Hunger?
Verb-first rule.
Conjugate 'sein' for 'ihr'. Conjugation Drill

___ ihr bereit?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seid
Conjugation for 'ihr'.
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: Ja, ich trinke Tee.
Yes/no question.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: ___? B: Ja, ich komme.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kommst du mit
Contextual fit.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct verb form.

___ du heute Zeit?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Hast
Conjugation for 'du'.
Choose the correct question. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kommst du mit?
Verb-first rule.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

du / trinkst / Kaffee / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Trinkst du Kaffee?
Verb-first rule.
Find the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Do du gehst?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Gehst du?
No do-support.
Build a question from: 'Sie / haben / Hunger'. Sentence Building

Build it.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Haben Sie Hunger?
Verb-first rule.
Conjugate 'sein' for 'ihr'. Conjugation Drill

___ ihr bereit?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seid
Conjugation for 'ihr'.
Match the question to the answer. Match Pairs

Trinkst du Tee?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ja, ich trinke Tee.
Yes/no question.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: ___? B: Ja, ich komme.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kommst du mit
Contextual fit.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Reorder the words to make a question. Sentence Reorder

du / Kaffee / Trinkst / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Trinkst du Kaffee?
Fill in the correct verb form of 'sein'. Fill in the Blank

___ ihr im Kino?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seid
Translate to German: 'Do you (formal) have a car?' Translation

Translate: Do you (formal) have a car?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Haben Sie ein Auto?
Correct the order: 'Ihr kommt heute?' Error Correction

Ihr kommt heute?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kommt ihr heute?
Which sentence asks if she is coming? Multiple Choice

Pick the correct question:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kommt sie?
Match the statement to its question form. Match Pairs

Match Statement to Question:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Du bist hier -> Bist du hier?
Fill in the blank with the correct verb. Fill in the Blank

___ er {den|m} Wein? (trinken)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Trinkt
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Professor / der / Ist / nett / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ist {der|m} Professor nett?
How do you ask 'Is the food good?' Multiple Choice

Choose correctly:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ist {das|n} Essen gut?
Translate: 'Are we late?' Translation

Translate: Are we late?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sind wir spät?

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, for yes/no questions. If you have a question word like 'Was', that takes the first spot.

The modal verb moves to the front, and the infinitive stays at the end.

Yes, 'Trinkst du nicht Kaffee?' is a perfectly valid negative question.

No, it's the standard way to ask questions in German.

Start with 'Ja' or 'Nein'.

You will sound like you are making a statement with a question mark. People will understand, but it's not correct.

Yes, it works for all verbs including 'sein' and 'haben'.

No, this is a very rigid rule in German.

Scaffolded Practice

1

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

Inversion or rising intonation

German requires the verb to be in the first position.

French low

Est-ce que...

German changes word order; French adds a phrase.

Japanese low

Particle 'ka' at the end

Verb position is opposite.

Arabic low

Particle 'hal' at the start

German uses word order change.

Chinese low

Particle 'ma' at the end

German uses word order change.

English low

Do-support

German has no do-support.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
German Word Order: The Verb in Second Position (V2 Rule)
Next
German W-Questions: Who, What, Where (W-Fragen)

Learn These First

A1 Requires

German Word Order: The Verb in Second Position (V2 Rule)

Overview German sentence structure operates on a principle known as **Verb-Zweitstellung** (Verb-Second Position), or si...

Continue With

A1 Builds On

German W-Questions: Who, What, Where (W-Fragen)

Overview Interrogative sentences are fundamental to communication, allowing speakers to solicit information beyond a si...

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Introduction to Word Order in German Sentences (Syntax)

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