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German indirect questions with examples – A1‑B2 guide

In German an indirect question is a clause that reports a question without using a question mark, and it follows the verb‑final word order of a subordinate clause. Below you’ll learn the exact rules, see 20 examples, and get a quick practice routine.

What is an indirect question in German?

An indirect question (indirekte Frage) reports a question inside a statement or another question. It always uses a question word (who, what, where, etc.) and the verb moves to the end of the clause.

Example: Ich frage mich, wie du heißt. (I wonder how you are called.) The question word wie starts the clause, and the verb heißt appears at the end.

German Buddy’s everyday phrases tool includes many indirect‑question examples you can listen to and repeat.

How do I change word order for indirect questions?

The key is to treat the clause as a subordinate clause: subject → object → verb (verb last). If the clause begins with a question word, the rest of the sentence follows the same rule.

  • Direct: Wo ist das Hotel?
    Indirect: Kannst du mir sagen, wo das Hotel ist? (Can you tell me where the hotel is?)
  • Direct: Was kostet das?
    Indirect: Ich möchte wissen, was das kostet. (I would like to know what that costs.)
  • Direct: Warum bist du spät?
    Indirect: Er fragt, warum du spät bist. (He asks why you are late.)

Which question words can start an indirect question?

All standard German question words work, plus the conjunction ob for yes/no questions.

  1. Wer (who) – Ich weiß nicht, wer das Geschenk geschickt hat. (I don’t know who sent the gift.)
  2. Was (what) – Sie fragt, was wir bestellen sollen. (She asks what we should order.)
  3. Wo (where) – Wir möchten wissen, wo das Konzert stattfindet. (We want to know where the concert takes place.)
  4. Wann (when) – Er erinnert mich, wann der Zug abfährt. (He reminds me when the train departs.)
  5. Warum (why) – Kannst du erklären, warum das passiert ist? (Can you explain why that happened?)
  6. Wie (how) – Ich frage mich, wie das funktioniert. (I wonder how that works.)
  7. Ob (if/whether) – Sie will wissen, ob du kommen kannst. (She wants to know if you can come.)

Practical steps to turn a direct question into an indirect one

Follow this 5‑step routine and practice each step with a sentence of your own.

  1. Identify the original direct question.
  2. Choose a reporting verb (fragen, wissen, sagen, etc.).
  3. Place the reporting verb before the clause.
  4. Move the verb of the original question to the end of the clause.
  5. Add any necessary pronouns or articles to keep the sentence grammatical.

Try it now: take the direct question Wie spät ist es? and apply the steps. You get: Ich möchte wissen, wie spät es ist. (I would like to know what time it is.)

Use German Buddy’s prompt generator to get more direct questions you can convert.

How to practise indirect questions with German Buddy

German Buddy lets you write or speak your own indirect‑question sentences and receive instant feedback. Choose the "Conversation" mode, select a role‑play about planning a trip, and insert an indirect question like Kannst du mir sagen, welcher Zug nach Berlin fährt? The app will suggest a smoother phrasing and a short tip.

For extra reinforcement, download printable worksheets from the worksheets section and fill them with your own sentences.

Practice this topic in the German Buddy app

Ready to turn theory into fluency? In German Buddy you can create a custom practice set with the sentence patterns you just learned. Start with the free daily allowance, and after 7 days of unlimited practice you’ll still have access to new prompts every day. start practising free.

FAQ

Can I use "ob" in an indirect question about a yes/no answer?

Yes. "Ob" replaces the question mark and the verb still goes to the end, e.g., Ich weiß nicht, ob er kommt.

Do I need a comma before the indirect question?

German grammar requires a comma before the subordinate clause, so you write Er fragt, warum du müde bist.

Is the word order the same for indirect questions in spoken German?

In casual speech some speakers may place the verb earlier, but the standard written form always keeps the verb final. Practising with German Buddy helps you internalise the correct order.

How many indirect‑question examples should I learn?

Learning at least 20 varied examples, like the ones in this article, gives you a solid foundation for everyday conversations.