die Frage
question
A sentence or formulation used to ask for information or an answer.
EXAMPLE
Darf ich Ihnen eine Frage stellen?
May I ask you a question?
die Frage
question
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Meanings
die Frage
matter / question
A problem, topic, or matter that needs to be discussed, clarified, or decided.
EXAMPLE
Das ist eine Frage des Geldes.
That's a question of money.
in Frage kommen
to be an option
To be a possible option or to be considered.
EXAMPLE
Für diese Position kommt nur ein erfahrener Kandidat in Frage.
Only an experienced candidate is an option for this position.
in Frage stellen
to question
To doubt something or question the validity or correctness of something.
EXAMPLE
Er stellte die Entscheidung seines Chefs in Frage.
He questioned his boss's decision.
außer Frage stehen
to be beyond question
To be completely certain or beyond doubt.
EXAMPLE
Es steht außer Frage, dass sie die Beste für den Job ist.
It is beyond question that she is the best person for the job.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Frage' (the question) is the noun that belongs to the verb 'fragen' (to ask). If you know the verb, you can easily infer the meaning of the noun.
EXAMPLE
Er fragt, ob er eine Frage stellen darf.
He asks whether he may ask a question.
Typical verbs
In German, you 'stellt' a question: 'eine Frage stellen' (to ask a question). You 'gibt' an answer to it or 'beantwortet' the question: 'eine Antwort geben' (to give an answer), 'die Frage beantworten' (to answer the question). You can also 'eine Frage haben' (to have a question).
EXAMPLE
Der Journalist stellte dem Politiker eine kritische Frage.
The journalist asked the politician a critical question.
As a topic or problem
When 'Frage' (matter/question) describes a topic or matter, it often appears in the genitive with an abstract noun. Typical phrases are 'eine Frage der Zeit' (a question of time), 'eine Frage des Geldes' (a question of money), or 'eine Frage des Prinzips' (a matter of principle).
EXAMPLE
Ob wir in den Urlaub fahren, ist vor allem eine Frage des Geldes.
Whether we go on vacation is mainly a question of money.
Fixed expression: in Frage kommen
The expression 'in Frage kommen' means that something is a possible option. The thing that is an option is the subject of the sentence. The expression is often negated.
EXAMPLE
Ein Umzug in eine andere Stadt kommt für mich nicht in Frage.
Moving to another city is not an option for me.
Fixed expression: in Frage stellen
The expression 'etwas in Frage stellen' means to question or doubt something. It is an active action. The thing being questioned is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Studie stellt bisherige Annahmen in Frage.
The new study calls previous assumptions into question.
Fixed expression: außer Frage stehen
The expression 'außer Frage stehen' means that something is absolutely certain and beyond doubt. The thing that is certain is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Seine Kompetenz für dieses Projekt steht völlig außer Frage.
His competence for this project is completely beyond question.
Compare with
Frage vs Problem
problem
Frage and Problem can both refer to something that still needs to be clarified. Frage neutrally puts the answer or decision being sought in the foreground; Problem emphasizes a difficulty that requires a solution. Without a recognizable obstacle, Frage is appropriate; when there is a specific difficulty, Problem is more suitable.
Frage
Die Frage der Finanzierung müssen wir im nächsten Gespräch klären.
We need to clarify the question of financing in our next meeting.
Problem
Das Problem der Finanzierung müssen wir lösen, weil noch Geld fehlt.
We need to solve the problem of financing because there is still money missing.
In real life
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