Fragen
The English phrase 'asking' can be translated into German as Fragen.
While fragen means 'to ask', Germans often use the collocation eine Frage stellen (literally 'to place a question') to mean 'to ask a question'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of the verb 'to ask' is fragen. The third-person singular present tense of 'fragen' is fragt, and the past participle of 'fragen' is gefragt, used to form perfect tenses like hat gefragt (has asked).
Did you know?
- The word gefragt (the past participle of fragen) can also mean 'in demand' or 'popular', such as describing a professional who is highly sought after.
- While you might use 'to ask' for many things in English, Germans distinguish between fragen (to ask a question) and bitten (to ask for an object or a favour).
- The German verb fragen is a distant relative of the English word 'frain', an archaic term meaning 'to ask' or 'to inquire' that has long since vanished from common usage.
Examples in context
- Warum fragen Sie mich?Why are you asking me?This sentence shows how to use Fragen in a question.Tatoeba #1496971 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1495849 by CK
- Danke, dass Sie fragen!Thank you for asking me.This sentence uses Fragen to express thanks for being asked.Tatoeba #3383802 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3377138 by CK
- Er stellt viele Fragen.He's asking a lot of questions.This sentence uses the plural form Fragen to refer to multiple questions.Tatoeba #12392729 by mhr, translation #12536330 by sundown
- Ich möchte Ihnen eine Frage stellen.I would like to ask you a question.
- Ich möchte nachfragen, ob der Termin bestätigt wurde.I would like to ask if the appointment has been confirmed.
- Wir möchten eine Anfrage bezüglich Ihrer Dienstleistungen stellen.We would like to make an inquiry regarding your services.
- Wir möchten Sie zu Ihrem Konsumverhalten befragen.We would like to survey you about your consumer behavior.
- Ich möchte ein Ansuchen für eine Reisegenehmigung stellen.I would like to request permission to travel.
- Kannst du ihn mal fragen, ob er heute Abend Zeit hat?Can you ask him if he is free tonight?
- Machst du nachher etwas? Ich wollte nur nachfragen.Are you doing anything later? Just wanted to ask.
- Ich wollte nur wissen, ob du schon angekommen bist.I just wanted to know if you have arrived yet.
- 107 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are discussing a project at work.
- SarahDarf ich dich etwas fragen, Maximilian?May I ask you something, Maximilian?
- MaximilianJa, natürlich. Was möchtest du wissen?Yes, of course. What would you like to know?
- SarahIch wollte nur fragen, wann wir fertig sind.I just wanted to ask when we will be finished.
- MaximilianWir schaffen das bis morgen Abend.We will get it done by tomorrow evening.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fragen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
