German · Greetings & Essentials
"When?" in German: wann?
wann?
When in German is wann? for questions: Wann kommst du?. Soft wenn means if/when in clauses, and is not the question word here.
Making plans
Wann hast du Zeit diese Woche?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce wann?
Say it
VAHN
/van/
VAHN. Short a like father clipped, final n. Rising question tone.
"When?" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| wann? | when? Question word. | Question word. |
| Wann genau? | when exactly? Clarifying time. | Clarifying time. |
| seit wann? | since when? Duration start. | Duration start. |
| bis wann? | until when? Deadline. | Deadline. |
How to use wann? in real life
- 1Making plans
Wann hast du Zeit diese Woche?
When do you have time this week?
Wann first.
- 2Train info
Wann fährt der nächste Zug?
When does the next train leave?
Wann fährt.
- 3Deadline
Bis wann brauchst du die Antwort?
By when do you need the answer?
Bis wann.
Mistakes English speakers make with wann?
Incorrect: Wenn kommst du?
Correct: Wann kommst du?
Questions about time use wann, not wenn.
Incorrect: When ist das Meeting?
Correct: Wann ist das Meeting?
Use wann.
Good to know
Wann vs wenn is a classic learner trap. Locals hear wenn-questions often and gently correct. Soft scheduling chats stack Wann passt es dir? all day.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Booking a call
ChatPal
Wann können wir telefonieren?
When can we talk on the phone?
You
Wann geht es bei dir—heute oder morgen?
When works for you—today or tomorrow?
ChatPal
Morgen. Wann genau nach der Arbeit?
Tomorrow. When exactly after work?
You
Um sechs. Wann soll ich anrufen?
At six. When should I call?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"When?" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "When?" in German
Wann vs wenn?
Wann asks when; wenn means if/when in clauses.
How do you say since when?
Seit wann?
Until when?
Bis wann?
When exactly?
Wann genau?
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
