wovon
Question word meaning “from which thing” or “from what situation.” It asks what someone is talking about or what something depends on.
EXAMPLE
Wovon handelt dieser Film?
What is this film about?
wovon
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Meanings
wovon
Refers in a relative clause to a thing or situation mentioned previously; it means “from which” or “from what.”
EXAMPLE
Das ist genau das, wovon ich die ganze Zeit rede.
That is exactly what I've been talking about the whole time.
Usage tips
Word formation
“Wovon” is made up of “wo” (what) and the preposition “von” (from). It is used for “von” in connection with a thing or situation and is written as one word.
EXAMPLE
Wovon lebst du eigentlich?
What do you actually live on?
Question structure
“Wovon” often appears at the beginning of a question when a verb or adjective requires the preposition “von” (from). The conjugated verb then comes in second position.
EXAMPLE
Wovon hängt der Erfolg des Projekts ab?
What does the success of the project depend on?
Wovon ist diese Entscheidung abhängig?
What is this decision dependent on?
Relative clause
In a relative clause, “wovon” can refer back to “das” (that), “alles” (everything), “etwas” (something), “nichts” (nothing), or an entire situation mentioned previously. After a noun, “von dem” (from which) or “von der” (from which) is usually used instead. In the relative clause, the conjugated verb comes at the end.
EXAMPLE
Er hat endlich eine feste Stelle gefunden, wovon er lange geträumt hatte.
He has finally found a permanent job, which he had been dreaming about for a long time.
In real life
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