Resources for further reading:
How to pronounce German question words
In English the order of the words changes when converting a statement to a question. The same is true in German. When asking a question, the order is as follows:
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Gehen wir bald?
Are we leaving soon?
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Ist das dein Freund Paul?
Is that your friend Paul?
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Bist du glücklich?
Are you happy?
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Kannst du morgen kommen?
Are you able to come tomorrow?
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Just like in English you raise the pitch of your voice at the end of a question. In German you can also turn a statement into a question just by pronouncing it like a question.
For example:
Er ist müde.
He is tired.
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Er ist müde?
Is he tired?
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Du rennst schnell.
You are running fast.
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Du rennst schnell?
Are you running fast?
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Das ist gut.
That is good.
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Das ist gut?
Is that good?
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Wir sind krank.
We are sick.
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Wir sind krank?
Are we sick?
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For more on the use of German questions check out these lessons...
- Dining in a German restaurant? How about asking for the bill in German. Your guests will be impressed!
- In this lesson you'll find lots of helpful German question phrases.
- Saying "how are you?" in German.
Bis bald!
Paul Weber: Rocket German
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