German word

fragen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfʁaːgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbask

Example

Ich frage den Lehrer.

I ask the teacher.

Illustration for fragen (ask)

More examples

Er fragt nach dem Weg.

He asks for directions.

Core concept

A speaker directs words toward a person or subject to obtain an answer or something sought.

Common phrases

  • jemanden fragen

    ask someone

  • nach dem Weg fragen

    ask for directions

  • um Hilfe fragen

    ask for help

Similar words

nachfragen: Ask again to clarify something missed or not understood.
erfragen: Obtain needed information by asking another person.
sich erkundigen: Make an inquiry to find out information about something.

Definition in German

Jemanden etwas fragen oder nach etwas fragen, um fehlende Information zu erhalten.

Word origin

The inherited Germanic verb fragen is recorded in Old High German as frāgēn and belongs to the same historical word family as Frage.

Usage tips

  • A person takes the accusative in jemanden fragen, while nach requires the dative in nach etwas fragen.

Other meanings

  • questionverb
  • inquireverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Fragequestionnoun
  • das Fragezeichenquestion marknoun
  • der Fragebogenquestionnairenoun

Word lists with this word