Question Words

1. Was?

   What?

   Usage

   The basic question word for things

   Grammar Note

   The question word comes first

2. Wo?

   Where?

   Usage

   The question word for places

   Grammar Note

   The question word comes first

3. Wänn?

   When?

   Usage

   The question word for time; also the conjunction meaning if

   Grammar Note

   The question word comes first

4. Wer?

   Who?

   Usage

   The question word for people

   Grammar Note

   The question word comes first

5. Werum?

   Why?

   Usage

   The question word for reasons; Wieso is used in the same way

   Grammar Note

   The question word comes first

6. Wie?

   How?

   Usage

   The question word for manner; also used to ask someone to repeat

   Grammar Note

   The question word comes first

7. Wie vill?

   How much?

   Usage

   Asks about an amount or a number

   Grammar Note

   composed: Wie (how) + vill (much)

8. Wie vill choschtet das?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   The basic price question; the currency in Switzerland is the franc (Franke)

   Grammar Note

   composed: choschtet is the 3rd person singular of the verb meaning to cost; initial k becomes ch

9. Wele?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Asks which one out of several

   Grammar Note

   composed: the ending changes with the gender of the noun

10. Was isch das?

    What is this?

    Usage

    The basic question for finding out what something is

    Grammar Note

    composed: word order is question word, verb, subject

11. Wo isch s WC?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    Asks for the toilet; in Switzerland the word WC is widely used

    Grammar Note

    composed: the article s is the short form for neuter nouns

12. Wie spoot isch es?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the time; literally 'how late is it'

    Grammar Note

    composed: this is the fixed way to ask the time using spoot

13. Händ Sie das?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    A polite question in a shop about whether they have something

    Grammar Note

    composed: the polite Sie takes the plural form händ

14. Gaat das?

    Is that possible?

    Usage

    A short question about whether something is possible or fine

    Grammar Note

    composed: gaat is the 3rd person singular of the verb to go, used here for it works

15. Choschtet das öppis?

    Does it cost anything?

    Usage

    Asks whether there is a charge

    Grammar Note

    composed: öppis is the word for something

16. Isch das gratis?

    Is that free?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is free of charge

    Grammar Note

    composed: in a yes-no question the verb comes first

17. Isch das in Ornig?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Used to check that something is acceptable

    Grammar Note

    composed: in Ornig is the fixed expression for in order

18. Isch das verbote?

    Is that forbidden?

    Usage

    Asks whether something such as photography or entry is not allowed

    Grammar Note

    composed: verbote is the past participle of the verb to forbid

19. Gaats Ihne guet?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    A polite way to check on someone who seems unwell

    Grammar Note

    composed: gaats is gaat + s fused; Ihne is the dative of the polite Sie

20. Würklich?

    Really?

    Usage

    A one-word reaction of surprise or doubt

    Grammar Note

    A one-word adverb used as a question

21. Sind Sie sicher?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    A polite question about whether the other person is certain

    Grammar Note

    composed: the polite Sie takes sind

22. Vo wo chömed Sie?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A polite question about where someone comes from

    Grammar Note

    composed: the polite Sie takes the verb ending -ed

23. Wie heissed Sie?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A polite question about someone's name

    Grammar Note

    composed: the polite Sie takes the verb ending -ed

24. Wie alt sind Sie?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asks someone's age; it can be rude with people you have just met

    Grammar Note

    composed: word order is Wie alt, verb, subject

25. Dörfed mir zäme es Föteli mache?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks a local person whether you may take a photo together

    Grammar Note

    composed: Föteli is Foti with the diminutive ending -li; taking a photo uses mache

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