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How to Say ‘Who would have thought that?’ in German

Wer hätte das gedacht?

vair HET-uh dahs guh-DAHKHT

[vair HET-uh dahs guh-DAHKHT]

💬 Usage Tip: hätte gedacht is a common way to say would have thought. You'll meet the same pattern in Wer hätte das erwartet?

Phrase Breakdown

Wer

[vair]

who

Used to introduce a question about someone.

Example

Wer hätte gedacht, dass es regnet?

Who would have thought that it rains?

hätte

[HET-uh]

would have

A conditional phrase indicating possibility.

Example

Er hätte es besser machen können.

He could have done it better.

das

[dahs]

that

Used to indicate something known or assumed.

Example

Wir wissen, dass er kommt.

We know that he's coming.

gedacht

[guh-DAHKHT]

thought

Past form of think; considered or regarded.

Example

Er dachte, es wäre einfach.

He thought it would be easy.

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