Meaning
To state one's country of origin.
Cultural Background
Germans often identify strongly with their 'Bundesland' (federal state). A person from Bavaria might say 'Ich komme aus Bayern' to emphasize their specific cultural heritage. When a Swiss person says 'Ich komme aus {der|f} Schweiz', they are often highlighting their multilingual background (German, French, Italian, Romansh). Austrians are very proud of their distinct identity from Germany. Saying 'Ich komme aus Österreich' is a clear marker of this distinction. The question 'Woher kommst du?' can be complex for second-generation immigrants. They might answer with their German city but be asked 'Und woher wirklich?' (And where from really?), which is a debated topic in German society.
Drop the 'e'
In casual conversation, Germans often say 'Ich komm' aus...' instead of 'Ich komme aus...'. It sounds more native!
Watch the Articles
Don't forget that countries like {die|f} Schweiz, {die|f} Türkei, and {die|pl} USA always need an article after 'aus'.
Meaning
To state one's country of origin.
Drop the 'e'
In casual conversation, Germans often say 'Ich komm' aus...' instead of 'Ich komme aus...'. It sounds more native!
Watch the Articles
Don't forget that countries like {die|f} Schweiz, {die|f} Türkei, and {die|pl} USA always need an article after 'aus'.
Be Specific
If you are in Germany, try saying your city instead of just the country. It shows you know the geography!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct preposition.
Ich komme ___ Deutschland.
'aus' is the correct preposition for origin.
Choose the correct conjugation of 'kommen'.
Woher ___ du?
The subject 'du' requires the ending '-st'.
Match the country with its correct phrase.
Match the following:
Note how 'Schweiz' and 'Türkei' (feminine) and 'USA' (plural) change the article.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hallo, ich bin Tim. Woher kommst du? B: Hallo Tim, ___.
The question 'Woher kommst du?' asks for origin.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch komme ___ Deutschland.
'aus' is the correct preposition for origin.
Woher ___ du?
The subject 'du' requires the ending '-st'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Note how 'Schweiz' and 'Türkei' (feminine) and 'USA' (plural) change the article.
A: Hallo, ich bin Tim. Woher kommst du? B: Hallo Tim, ___.
The question 'Woher kommst du?' asks for origin.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, it is very common and slightly more informal than 'Ich komme aus Deutschland'.
It's a grammatical quirk. Feminine, masculine, and plural countries always require them. Most are neuter and don't use articles.
Yes, 'aus' is one of the prepositions that always takes the dative case.
Ich komme aus {den|pl} Niederlanden. (Note the plural dative 'n' at the end).
'Herkunft' is where you come from (origin); 'Wohnort' is where you live now.
Related Phrases
Ich bin aus...
similarI am from...
Ich wohne in...
contrastI live in...
Ich stamme aus...
specialized formI descend from...
Woher kommst du?
builds onWhere do you come from?
