German word

wofür

Pronunciation

IPA/voˈfyːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adverbwhat for

Example

Wofür ist das Geld?

What is the money for?

Illustration for wofür (what for)

More examples

Wofür engagierst du dich im Verein?

What are you committed to at the association?

Core concept

A question pointing from an object or resource to the purpose it serves.

Common phrases

  • Wofür engagierst du dich

    what are you committed to

  • Wofür ist die Förderung gedacht

    what is the funding intended for

  • Wofür sammelt die Organisation Geld

    what does the organization collect money for

Similar words

wozu: Asks what purpose an action or thing serves.
für was: A colloquial way to ask what something is intended for.
warum: Asks for the reason or cause behind something.
womit: Asks what tool or means is used for an action.

Definition in German

Ein Frageadverb, mit dem man nach dem Zweck oder dem Verwendungszweck von etwas fragt.

Word origin

Wofür is formed from wo, a question element, and für, creating a pronominal adverb for asking about purpose or intended use.

Usage tips

  • Wofür asks about purpose, while warum asks about a reason or cause.

Other meanings

  • for what purposeadverb
  • for what useadverb

Word lists with this word