fragen
to ask
To ask a question in order to get information or an answer.
EXAMPLE
Kann ich dich etwas Persönliches fragen?
Can I ask you something personal?
fragen
to ask
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
fragen nach
to ask about
To inquire about someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Ein Mann war hier und hat nach Ihnen gefragt.
A man was here and asked about you.
sich fragen
to wonder
To think about something and be unsure; to want to know something.
EXAMPLE
Ich frage mich, ob wir die richtige Entscheidung getroffen haben.
I wonder whether we made the right decision.
fragen
to ask
To ask for permission to do or take something.
EXAMPLE
Du hättest fragen sollen, bevor du mein Fahrrad nimmst.
You should have asked before taking my bike.
Usage tips
Indirect questions
With 'fragen' (to ask), you can form indirect questions. These are introduced with 'ob' (whether/if, for yes/no questions) or a question word (wie, was, wo). The verb then comes at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Er fragt, ob du heute Abend Zeit hast.
He asks whether you have time tonight.
Accusative object
The person you ask something is always in the accusative. You ask 'jemanden' (someone, accusative), not 'jemandem' (someone, dative).
EXAMPLE
Der Tourist fragt einen Polizisten nach dem Weg.
The tourist asks a police officer for directions.
Fixed preposition
When you inquire about information, you use the fixed combination 'fragen nach' (to ask about) followed by the dative.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat am Telefon nach dir gefragt.
She asked about you on the phone.
Reflexive use
The reflexive verb 'sich fragen' means 'to think about' or 'to want to know'. It is often used to express inner doubts or curiosity.
EXAMPLE
Ich frage mich, warum er nicht geantwortet hat.
I wonder why he didn't answer.
Compare with
fragen vs stellen
to put / to set
Fragen refers directly to the act of asking and can introduce the content as a subordinate clause. Stellen is used here with the noun „Frage“ and gives the question slightly more explicit linguistic emphasis. Both expressions can convey the same intention, but their sentence structures are different.
fragen
Ich frage die Mitarbeiterin, wann der Zug abfährt.
I ask the employee when the train leaves.
stellen
Ich stelle der Mitarbeiterin eine Frage zur Abfahrtszeit des Zuges.
I ask the employee a question about the train's departure time.
In real life
Loading video examples...