German word

ob

Pronunciation

IPA/ɔp/

Meaning

  • conjunctionwhether

Example

Ich weiß nicht, ob er heute kommt.

I do not know whether he will come today.

Illustration for ob (whether)

More examples

Sie überlegt, ob sie das Angebot annehmen soll.

She is considering whether she should accept the offer.

Core concept

A speaker holds two possible answers open while waiting to know which one is true.

Common phrases

  • Ich weiß nicht, ob

    I don't know whether ___

  • Ich frage mich, ob

    I wonder whether ___

Similar words

wenn: Introduces a condition that must be met for something to happen.
falls: Introduces a condition that may be unlikely to occur.
dass: Introduces a statement presented as a fact or piece of information.
obwohl: Introduces a contrast where something happens despite an opposing fact.

Definition in German

Unterordnende Konjunktion, die Unsicherheit oder Entscheidungsfragen in Nebensätzen markiert.

Word origin

German ob continues Old High German oba through Middle High German obe and has retained its use for introducing indirect questions.

Usage tips

  • German ob means whether in an indirect question, whereas conditional if is usually wenn or falls.

Other meanings

  • ifconjunction

Related words

Word lists with this word