By the end of this lesson, I can…
- The verb comes first
- Answers can use ja or nein
- Usage, exceptions and scope
Simple explanation
German yes/no questions are formed by placing the conjugated verb at the beginning of the sentence. The subject comes after the verb, followed by the remaining information. This structure is used for simple everyday questions about people, activities, places, and situations.
The verb comes first
In German yes/no questions, the conjugated verb always takes the first position.
The subject follows the verb
After the verb, the subject usually comes next, such as ich, du, er, sie, or Sie.
Answers can use ja or nein
Short answers can be only ja or nein, but complete sentences are also common.
Usage, exceptions and scope
A neutral yes/no question starts with the finite verb: Du wohnst hier → Wohnst du hier? Add no English do. Ja or Nein can stand alone; a fuller answer uses ordinary statement order. Doch can reject a negative assumption: Kommst du nicht? — Doch, ich komme. That differs from a simple Ja. Spoken German also permits intonation questions such as Du kommst?; the target here is the standard verb-first construction.
Patterns at a glance
These are construction models; translated examples follow below. Practice and test use separate question contexts.
| Rule | Model sentence |
|---|---|
| The verb comes first | Kommst du aus Bonn? |
| The verb comes first | Ist Anna zu Hause? |
| The verb comes first | Habt ihr Zeit? |
| The verb comes first | Trinkt er Kaffee? |
| Answers can use ja or nein | Bist du müde? — Ja, ich bin müde. |
| Answers can use ja or nein | Bist du müde? — Nein, ich bin nicht müde. |
Grammar formula
Basic structure
Verb + Subjekt + weitere Informationen?Lernst du Deutsch?
With modal verbs
Modalverb + Subjekt + Rest?Kannst du kommen?
Core rules
- 1
The verb comes first
In German yes/no questions, the conjugated verb always takes the first position.
- 2
The subject follows the verb
After the verb, the subject usually comes next, such as ich, du, er, sie, or Sie.
- 3
Answers can use ja or nein
Short answers can be only ja or nein, but complete sentences are also common.
- 4
Usage, exceptions and scope
A neutral yes/no question starts with the finite verb: Du wohnst hier → Wohnst du hier? Add no English do. Ja or Nein can stand alone; a fuller answer uses ordinary statement order. Doch can reject a negative assumption: Kommst du nicht? — Doch, ich komme. That differs from a simple Ja. Spoken German also permits intonation questions such as Du kommst?; the target here is the standard verb-first construction.
Useful examples
Bist du müde?
Are you tired?
The verb bist comes first because this is a yes/no question.
Wohnst du in Berlin?
Do you live in Berlin?
The subject du comes after the verb wohnst.
Hast du einen Bruder?
Do you have a brother?
The verb haben is often used to ask about possession or family.
Lernst du Deutsch?
Are you learning German?
This is a common question in language learning situations.
Arbeitest du heute?
Are you working today?
The time expression heute comes after the subject.
Spielst du Fußball?
Do you play football?
This structure is useful for asking about hobbies.
Trinkst du Kaffee?
Do you drink coffee?
A simple question about daily habits.
Kommt er aus Österreich?
Is he from Austria?
The verb still comes before the subject with er.
Sind Sie der Lehrer?
Are you the teacher?
Sie is used for formal situations.
Kannst du mir helfen?
Can you help me?
With modal verbs, the conjugated modal verb comes first.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Kommt du aus Bonn? ✅ Kommst du aus Bonn?
- ❌ Sind Anna zu Hause? ✅ Ist Anna zu Hause?
- ❌ Hat ihr Zeit? ✅ Habt ihr Zeit?
- ❌ Trinken er Kaffee? ✅ Trinkt er Kaffee?
- ❌ Bist du müde? — Nein, ich bin müde. ✅ Bist du müde? — Ja, ich bin müde.
- ❌ Bist du müde? — Ja, ich bin nicht müde. ✅ Bist du müde? — Nein, ich bin nicht müde.
Learning tips
- Read the context and word roles before choosing an option.
- After feedback, read the reason and make a new sentence.
- After practising, take the test without the table; test mastery is recorded separately from reading.
Use it in your own sentences
Adapt the names, times or places in the models to write six sentences about your own life. Keep the target construction and check that the meaning fits the rule. This is a self-assessment activity; the multiple-choice test has a separate score.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 1.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 2.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 3.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 4.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 5.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 6.
Show the model
Kommst du aus Bonn? Ist Anna zu Hause? Habt ihr Zeit? Trinkt er Kaffee? Bist du müde? — Ja, ich bin müde. Bist du müde? — Nein, ich bin nicht müde.
Check your own work
- I identified the subject, verb and target construction in every sentence.
- I adapted the context instead of only copying the model.
- I checked my choices against this lesson’s rules and exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “The verb comes first”?
In German yes/no questions, the conjugated verb always takes the first position.
What should I check for “The subject follows the verb”?
After the verb, the subject usually comes next, such as ich, du, er, sie, or Sie.
What should I check for “Answers can use ja or nein”?
Short answers can be only ja or nein, but complete sentences are also common.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and scope”?
A neutral yes/no question starts with the finite verb: Du wohnst hier → Wohnst du hier? Add no English do. Ja or Nein can stand alone; a fuller answer uses ordinary statement order. Doch can reject a negative assumption: Kommst du nicht? — Doch, ich komme. That differs from a simple Ja. Spoken German also permits intonation questions such as Du kommst?; the target here is the standard verb-first construction.
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