Asking questions about things: wo- compounds
When you ask a question involving a preposition and an inanimate object, English often separates the "what" and the preposition ("What are you cutting with?"). German instead combines them into a single question word starting with wo-.
If the preposition begins with a consonant, simply attach it directly to wo-:
- wo
- mit = womit (with what)
- wo
- für = wofür (what for)
| What are you cutting the paper with? With the scissors? | Womit schneidest du das Papier? Mit der Schere? |
| What do you need the scissors for? | Wofür brauchst du die Schere? |
Adding an -r- for vowels
If the preposition begins with a vowel, insert an -r- between them to make it easier to pronounce:
- wo
- r
- auf = worauf (what on / what for)
- r
- wo
- r
- über = worüber (what about)
- r
- wo
- r
- aus = woraus (out of what)
- r
| What are you waiting for? For your new fabric? | Worauf wartest du? Auf deinen neuen Stoff? |
| What are you talking about? Are you crafting together again? | Worüber sprecht ihr? Bastelt ihr wieder zusammen? |
| What are you building the table out of? Out of wood? | Woraus baust du den Tisch? Aus Holz? |
When answering a wo- question, you typically reply using the original preposition followed by the object in its required case.
| What are you making the toy out of? I am making it out of paper. | Woraus machst du das Spielzeug? Ich mache es aus Papier. |
| What are you crafting with on the weekend? We are crafting with paper because we have no wood. | Womit bastelt ihr am Wochenende? Wir basteln mit Papier, weil wir kein Holz haben. |
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