Basic Questions in German
If you travel to a German-speaking country and need to know the time or where something is located, or you just want to get some basic information, a few common questions can come in very handy.
| English |
German |
Pronunciation |
| Do you speak English? |
Sprechen Sie Englisch? |
shprêH-en zee êng-lish? |
| How are you? |
Wie geht es Ihnen? |
vee geyt ês een-en? |
| Would you help me please? |
Würden Sie mir bitte helfen? |
vuer-den zee meer bi-te
hêl-fen? |
| What’s your name? |
Wie heißen Sie? |
vee hays-en zee? |
| What time is it? |
Wie viel Uhr ist es? |
vee feel oohr ist ês? |
| What’s the weather like? |
Wie ist das Wetter? |
ee ist dâs vêt-er? |
| How much does . . . cost? |
Wie viel kostet . . .? |
vee feel kos-tet…? |
| Where do I find . . .? |
Wo finde ich . . .? |
voh fin-de iH…? |
| Where are the bathrooms? |
Wo sind die Toiletten? |
voh zint dee toy-lêt-en? |
| Do you have…? |
Haben Sie…? |
hah-ben zee…? |
| Where is…? |
Wo ist…? |
voh ist…? |
| Could you please talk more slowly? |
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen? |
kern-en zee bi-te lâng-zâm-er
shprêH-en? |
| Could you repeat that, please? |
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? |
kern-en zee dâs bi-te
vee-der-hoh-len? |
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Language Phrases Glossary
accusative case
When noun or pronoun is the direct object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
dative case
When noun or pronoun is the indirect object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the dative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
genitive case
When the noun or pronoun indicates possession, you are required switch to the genitive case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
instrumental case
A Russian grammatical term that indicates that the noun or pronoun assist in the carrying out of an action, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
interrogative
Words used to ask questions, such as who, what, when, where, and why.
Language Phrases Glossary
macron
A small, horizontal mark above the vowel that indicates a long vowel sound. Make the vowel sound like its name.
Language Phrases Glossary
nominative case
When noun or pronoun is the subject of the sentence, you are required to switch to the nominative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
prepositional case
A grammatical case that indicates that the noun or pronoun is the object of a preposition, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending. Used with the Russian prepositions: v (v; in), na (nah; on), o (oh; about), and ob (ohb; about).
