Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are question words used to ask questions in German.
These pronouns are essential for everyday communication and help you gather information in conversations.
This lesson covers the main interrogative pronouns and how to use them correctly in questions.
Explanation
The most common interrogative pronouns are 'wer' (who), 'was' (what), and 'welcher/welche/welches' (which).
'Wer' is used for people and declines like the definite article 'der'. 'Was' is used for things and doesn't decline.
'Welcher' declines like the definite article and must match the gender, number, and case of the noun it refers to.
Interrogative pronouns often appear at the beginning of questions, and the verb follows immediately after.
Interrogative Pronouns
| Pronoun | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| wer | who | For people (declines like 'der') |
| was | what | For things (doesn't decline) |
| welcher | which (masc.) | Declines like definite article |
| welche | which (fem./pl.) | Declines like definite article |
| welches | which (neut.) | Declines like definite article |
| wessen | whose | Genitive form of 'wer' |
| wem | whom (dat.) | Dative form of 'wer' |
| wen | whom (acc.) | Accusative form of 'wer' |
Examples
Wer ist das?
Who is that?
Was machst du?
What are you doing?
Welches Buch liest du?
Which book are you reading?
Welche Farbe magst du?
Which color do you like?
Welcher Tag ist heute?
Which day is today?
Wessen Buch ist das?
Whose book is that?
Wem gibst du das Buch?
To whom are you giving the book?
Wen siehst du?
Whom do you see?
Was für ein Auto hast du?
What kind of car do you have?
Common Mistakes
Wer ist dein Name?
Wie heißt du?
Use 'Wie heißt du?' to ask for a name, not 'Wer ist dein Name?'
Was ist dein Name?
Wie heißt du?
Names are asked with 'Wie heißt du?', not 'Was ist dein Name?'
Welcher Buch
Welches Buch
'Buch' is neuter, so use 'welches', not 'welcher'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
Start Exercises →Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.