VocabuoDictionaryGet the app
adverbconjunction

wann

when

Es ist ein Fragewort, mit dem man nach dem Zeitpunkt eines Ereignisses fragt.

Definition & meaning

wann is a German interrogative adverb meaning “when”. It asks about the time of an event or action.

It is used:

  • In direct questions:
    Wann kommst du? — When are you coming?
  • In indirect questions:
    Ich weiß nicht, wann er ankommt. — I do not know when he arrives.
  • In expressions referring to an unspecified or recurring time:
    wann immer — whenever

wann refers specifically to a point or period in time. It must be distinguished from:

  • wenn — if, whenever, or when in conditional or repeated situations
  • als — when, for a single event in the past

Grammar & Word origin

wann is an interrogative adverb. It is not inflected and normally appears at the beginning of a direct question:

  • Wann beginnt der Film? — When does the film begin?

In an indirect question, the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause:

  • Sie fragt, wann der Film beginnt. — She asks when the film begins.

The word comes from Old High German wanne , meaning “when” or “at what time.”

Synonyms & antonyms

There is no exact everyday synonym for wann . More formal or expanded alternatives include:

  • zu welcher Zeit — at what time; more formal and explicit
  • zu welchem Zeitpunkt — at which point in time; especially formal or precise

There is no direct antonym because wann is an interrogative word rather than a word expressing a quality or direction.

Common phrases & collocations

  • ab wann — from when onward
  • bis wann — by when, until when
  • seit wann — since when
  • für wann — for when; often used when arranging an appointment
  • wann immer — whenever
  • wann anders — some other time
  • wann auch immer — whenever, regardless of when

Make “wann” part of your vocabulary.

Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Get Vocabuo on the App StoreGet Vocabuo for Android

Examples

Wann kommst du zurück?adverb

When are you coming back?

Wann beginnt das Konzert?adverb

When does the concert start?

Wann hast du Geburtstag?adverb

When is your birthday?

Wann beginnt der Film?adverb

When does the movie begin?

Keep exploring German

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play