Indirect Questions in German (Indirekte Fragesätze)

Understanding questions in German is essential, but being able to report or embed questions is equally important. These are called Indirekte Fragesätze or indirect questions, and they are a key part of German grammar for A2-B1 learners. Mastering them will help you speak, write and understand German more naturally.

What Are "Indirekte Fragesätze"?

Indirect questions are questions embedded in a statement or another sentence instead of being asked directly. They allow you to report what someone asked or wondered about without repeating the exact question.

Examples:

• Direct question: Wo ist der Bahnhof? (Where is the train station?)

• Indirect question: Ich weiß nicht, wo der Bahnhof ist. (I don’t know where the train station is.)

Indirect questions appear in everyday conversations, emails, articles and formal writing, making them an essential part of German learning.

📚 Key Rules for Indirect Questions in German

Use Question Words for W-Questions

If the original question starts with a W-word (wer, was, wo, wann, warum, wie, welche…), you keep it in the indirect question.

Example:

• Direct: Wann beginnt der Film? (When does the movie start?)

• Indirect: Ich weiß nicht, wann der Film beginnt. (I don’t know when the movie starts.)

Use "ob" for Yes/No Questions

👉 Yes/no questions (questions that can be answered with yes or no) are introduced with ob in indirect speech.

Example:

• Direct: Kommst du morgen? (Are you coming tomorrow?)

• Indirect: Ich frage mich, ob du morgen kommst. (I wonder if you’re coming tomorrow.)

Verb Placement

In indirect questions, the conjugated verb always goes to the end of the clause. This is different from direct questions, where the verb often comes first.

Example:

• Direct: Wo wohnst du? ( Where do you live?)

• Indirect: Ich weiß nicht, wo du wohnst. (I don’t know where you live.)

Punctuation

Since indirect questions are part of a statement, you generally end them with a period, not a question mark.

Example:

• Ich weiß nicht, warum er so spät ist. (I don’t know why he is so late.)

Examples of Indirekte Fragesätze

W-Questions:

• Warum bist du spät? → Ich weiß nicht, warum du spät bist.

• Woher kommst du? → Kannst du mir sagen, woher du kommst?

Yes/No Questions:

• Hast du Hunger? → Ich frage mich, ob du Hunger hast.

• Kommst du mit uns? → Weißt du, ob du mit uns kommst?

🌟 Common Expressions with Indirect Questions

German uses several expressions to introduce indirect questions:

• Ich weiß nicht, … – I don’t know …

  • Example: Ich weiß nicht, wann er kommt. – I don't know when he is coming.

• Kannst du mir sagen, … – Can you tell me …

  • Example: Kannst du mir sagen, wo die Post ist? – Can you tell me where the post office is?

• Ich frage mich, … – I wonder …

  • Example: Ich frage mich, ob sie heute kommt. – I wonder if she's coming today.

• Sag mir bitte, … – Please tell me …

  • Example: Sag mir bitte, wann wir uns treffen. – Please tell me when we meet.

• Weißt du, … – Do you know …

  • Example: Weißt du, warum er so spät ist? – Do you know why he is so late?

• Ich möchte wissen, … – I would like to know …

  • Example: Ich möchte wissen, wie das funktioniert. – I would like to know how that works.

• Erzähl mir, … – Tell me …

  • Example: Erzähl mir, was du gestern gemacht hast. – Tell me what you did yesterday.

• Kannst du mir erklären, … – Can you explain to me …

  • Example: Kannst du mir erklären, wie ich zum Bahnhof komme? – Can you explain to me how to get to the train station?

• Ich bin neugierig, … – I'm curious …

  • Example: Ich bin neugierig, warum er so spät ist. – I'm curious why he is so late.

• Sag mir, ob … – Tell me if …

  • Example: Sag mir, ob du morgen kommst. – Tell me if you're coming tomorrow.

These phrases make indirect questions polite and natural in conversation and writing.

Why Are Indirekte Fragesätze Important?

1. Everyday Conversation: You can report or ask politely without repeating questions.

2. Writing Skills: Useful in emails, essays or reports.

3. Listening Comprehension: Indirect questions appear often in podcasts, news and dialogues.

4. Exam Preparation: A2-B1 German exams often test indirect questions in reading and writing tasks.

Quick Rules Summary

💡 Tip: Always remember: verb goes to the end, use ob for yes/no, and keep W-word for W-questions.

Practice Tip

To master indirect questions:

• Transform direct questions from your textbooks or conversations into indirect ones.

• Listen for embedded questions in German podcasts or videos.

• Practice writing short sentences using phrases like "Ich frage mich, …" or "Kannst du mir sagen, …?"