question mark
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question mark
The punctuation mark (?) that appears at the end of a sentence or part of a sentence to indicate a direct question.
Vergiss nicht, am Ende des Satzes ein Fragezeichen zu setzen.
Don't forget to put a question mark at the end of the sentence.
The word is built very logically: it consists of 'die Frage' (question) and 'das Zeichen' (sign/mark). A 'Fragezeichen' (question mark) is therefore literally a 'sign for a question'.
Am Ende einer direkten Frage steht immer ein Fragezeichen.
At the end of a direct question, there is always a question mark.
When talking about writing, 'Fragezeichen' (question mark) is usually used with the verb 'setzen' (to put/place). A common instruction is: 'Vergiss das Fragezeichen nicht zu setzen!' (Don't forget to put the question mark!)
Du musst hier noch ein Fragezeichen setzen.
You still need to put a question mark here.
In a figurative sense, 'ein Fragezeichen' (a question mark) stands for uncertainty or an unresolved problem. A very common expression is 'hinter etwas steht ein Fragezeichen', which means that something is uncertain.
Ob das Projekt wirklich stattfinden kann, dahinter steht noch ein großes Fragezeichen.
Whether the project can really take place is still a big question mark.
question
'die Frage' and 'das Fragezeichen' both belong to the area of questions and uncertainty. However, a 'Frage' is the content: you want to know something or clarify a topic. A 'Fragezeichen' is usually just the symbol '?' at the end of a direct question. Figuratively, 'Fragezeichen' can also mean doubt or an unresolved problem. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with questions. In practical terms: you ask or answer a question, but you write a question mark.
Am Ende dieses Satzes fehlt ein Fragezeichen.
There is a question mark missing at the end of this sentence.
Nach dem Gespräch hatte Anna noch eine wichtige Frage.
After the conversation, Anna still had an important question.