wann

When

Level 1

Wann is the German word for 'when' used specifically for questions (direct and indirect). It asks for a 'time stamp' like a date, a day, or a clock time.

How It Works

The word wann is an invariable adverb, meaning it never changes its form. It is used in two main ways:

1. Direct Questions: It follows the verb-second rule. For example: 'Wann kommst du?' (When are you coming?)

2. Indirect Questions: When wann starts a dependent clause, the verb moves to the end. For example: 'Ich weiß nicht, wann er kommt.' (I don't know when he is coming.)

Important Distinction:
Learners often confuse wann with wenn or als.

  • Use wann only for questions.
  • Use wenn for 'if' or 'whenever' (conditions/repeated events).
  • Use als for a single point in the past (e.g., 'When I was a child').

Examples (4)

  1. Wann beginnt der Film?

    When does the movie start?

    Word by Word: When begins the movie?

    A standard direct question with 'wann' in the first position and the verb in the second.

  2. Seit wann lernst du Deutsch?

    Since when have you been learning German?

    Word by Word: Since when learn you German?

    You can combine 'wann' with prepositions like 'seit' (since) to ask about duration.

  3. Können Sie mir sagen, wann der Bus fährt?

    Can you tell me when the bus leaves?

    Word by Word: Can you me tell, when the bus drives?

    This is an indirect question. Notice how the verb 'fährt' moves to the very end of the clause.

  4. Wann hast du Geburtstag?

    When is your birthday?

    Word by Word: When have you birthday?

    A common way to ask for a specific date.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'wann' for a conditional 'when' (if).

    Ich rufe dich an, wann ich Zeit habe.
    Ich rufe dich an, wenn ich Zeit habe.

    In German, 'wann' is only for questions. For 'whenever' or 'if', you must use 'wenn'.

  • Using 'wann' for a single past event.

    Wann ich ein Kind war, spielte ich viel.
    Als ich ein Kind war, spielte ich viel.

    When talking about a specific period or one-time event in the past, use 'als' instead of 'wann'.

  • Incorrect verb position in indirect questions.

    Ich frage mich, wann kommt der Zug.
    Ich frage mich, wann der Zug kommt.

    In an indirect question (a subordinate clause), the conjugated verb must go to the end.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

wannLevel 1When

Learn This First

To use 'wann' effectively, you need to understand how to structure a basic German sentence and how to conjugate verbs to ask about the timing of an action.

Words in This Pattern

wann