German Conversation · Level 89
59 words
German word
woher
Pronunciation
IPA/voˈheːɐ̯/
Meaning
- adverbwhere from
Example
Weißt du, woher das kommt?
Do you know where that comes from?
More examples
Er wollte wissen, woher das seltsame Geräusch kam.
He wanted to know where the strange noise came from.
Core concept
An arrow pointing from an unknown source toward the speaker.
Common phrases
wissen, woher ...
know where ___ comes from
fragen, woher ...
ask where ___ comes from
sich fragen, woher ...
wonder where ___ comes from
Similar words
wo: Used to ask where something is located.
wohin: Used to ask where something is going or headed.
Definition in German
Fragt nach dem Ursprung oder der Quelle von etwas, also von welchem Ort etwas kommt.
Word origin
The adverb combines German wo, meaning where, with her, a directional element meaning toward the speaker or a reference point.
Usage tips
- Use woher for a starting point or source, wo for a location, and wohin for a destination.
Opposites
- wohinwhere toadverb