Breakdown of Wofür ist die Begeisterung so groß?
sein
to be
groß
big / tall
so
so, such (intensifier)
wofür
what for (with verbs taking für)
Questions & Answers about Wofür ist die Begeisterung so groß?
Why does this sentence start with wofür instead of just was?
The noun Begeisterung is always paired with the fixed preposition für. When you ask a question using a fixed preposition and a thing or concept, you combine wo with the preposition. This creates the compound wofür.
If I wanted to ask who the enthusiasm is for, could I still use wofür?
No, wo- compounds are strictly for inanimate things or concepts. To ask about a person, use the preposition followed by the correct case of the question word. Since für always requires the accusative case, you would ask: Für wen ist die Begeisterung so groß?
Does the noun Begeisterung use the same preposition as its related verb?
Yes, and this is a great rule of thumb to remember! Nouns derived from verbs typically share the same fixed preposition. If you know the reflexive verb sich für etwas begeistern, you already know that the noun takes die Begeisterung für.
Would it be wrong to ask Für was ist die Begeisterung so groß?
In standard written German, yes. You must use the wo- compound when combining a preposition and was. However, in casual everyday speech, you will frequently hear native speakers say für was. For your B2 exams, always stick to wofür.