German · Travel & Getting Around
"Where is…?" in German: Wo ist…?
Wo ist…?
Where is…? in German is Wo ist…?, as in Wo ist der Bahnhof? (Where is the train station?). Watch out: wo means "where", while wer, which looks like English "where", means "who". With a stranger, start with Entschuldigung to be polite.
At the train station
Entschuldigung, wo ist Gleis 7?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Wo ist…?
Say it
VOH ist
/voː ɪst/
Wo sounds like English "voh", because German w is always said like an English v. Keep the o long and pure, with no "w" sound at the end. Wo ist runs together as one short phrase: VOH-ist.
"Where is…?" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Wo ist…? | Where is…? For one thing or place: Wo ist die Post? | For one thing or place: Wo ist die Post? |
| Wo sind…? | Where are…? For more than one: Wo sind die Toiletten? | For more than one: Wo sind die Toiletten? |
| Wo ist hier…? | Where is… around here? When you don't know the area: Wo ist hier die nächste Apotheke? | When you don't know the area: Wo ist hier die nächste Apotheke? |
| Wo finde ich…? | Where can I find…? Handy in shops and supermarkets. | Handy in shops and supermarkets. |
| Wohin…? | Where to…? For movement toward a place: Wohin fährt dieser Bus? | For movement toward a place: Wohin fährt dieser Bus? |
How to use Wo ist…? in real life
- 1At the train station
Entschuldigung, wo ist Gleis 7?
Excuse me, where is platform 7?
Das Gleis is the track or platform. You will see it on every departure board.
- 2At a hotel
Guten Morgen! Wo ist der Frühstücksraum, bitte?
Good morning! Where is the breakfast room, please?
Adding bitte at the end makes a short question sound friendly.
- 3Texting a friend
Ich bin schon am Eingang. Wo bist du?
I'm already at the entrance. Where are you?
The verb changes with the person: wo ist (where is), wo bist du (where are you).
Mistakes English speakers make with Wo ist…?
Incorrect: Wer ist der Bahnhof?
Correct: Wo ist der Bahnhof?
Wer looks like "where" but means "who". The German word for where is wo.
Incorrect: Wo gehst du?
Correct: Wohin gehst du?
When someone is moving toward a place, German uses wohin (where to). In speech you will also hear Wo gehst du hin?
Good to know
Most German cities have a Hauptbahnhof, the main train station, shortened to Hbf on signs and tickets. At the station, look for the Reisezentrum if you need help with tickets. For walking directions, people often ask Wie komme ich zum…? (How do I get to…?), and the answer usually uses links, rechts, and geradeaus.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Asking for directions to the station in Leipzig
ChatPal
Hallo! Kann ich Ihnen helfen? Sie sehen ein bisschen verloren aus.
Hello! Can I help you? You look a little lost.
You
Ja, gern! Wo ist der Hauptbahnhof?
Yes, please! Where is the main train station?
ChatPal
Gehen Sie hier geradeaus und dann die zweite Straße links. Es ist nicht weit.
Go straight ahead here and then take the second street on the left. It's not far.
You
Super, danke! Und wo ist dort das Reisezentrum?
Great, thanks! And where is the ticket office there?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Where is…?" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Where is…?" in German
What is the difference between wo, wohin, and woher?
Wo asks where something is. Wohin asks where someone is going. Woher asks where someone comes from, as in Woher kommst du? (Where are you from?).
Is Wo ist…? polite enough for strangers?
Yes, if you add a little around it. Start with Entschuldigung, end with bitte, and use Sie for any follow-up question: Können Sie mir das auf der Karte zeigen?
How do you ask where the toilet is in German?
Say Wo ist die Toilette? or Wo sind die Toiletten? Signs often just say WC, with Damen for women and Herren for men. At some train stations you pay a small fee to use them.
Does Wo ist change with der, die, or das?
No. Wo ist stays the same, and only the article after it changes: Wo ist der Bahnhof? Wo ist die Bank? Wo ist das Hotel?
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
