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How to Say ‘Why are you in Germany?’ in German

Warum sind Sie in Deutschland?

vah-ROOM zint zee in DOYCH-lahnt

[vah-ROOM zint zee in DOYCH-lahnt]

🇩🇪 In Germany: This isn't small talk. The official needs the legal reason for your stay, so answer plainly with work, study or family rather than a story.

Phrase Breakdown

Warum sind Sie

vah-ROOM zint zee

Why are you

'Warum' means 'why' and sounds like 'vah-ROOM'. 'Sie' is the formal 'you'.

Example

Warum sind Sie hier?

Why are you here?

Words in this phrase

Warum

[vah-ROOM]

why

Question word asking for a reason.

Example

Warum lernen Sie Deutsch?

Why are you learning German?

sind

[zint]

are

Form of 'sein' (to be) for 'wir', 'sie' and formal 'Sie'.

Example

Sind Sie müde?

Are you tired?

Sie

[zee]

you

The formal 'you' used in polite professional conversations.

Example

Ich freue mich, Sie hier auf der Jobmesse zu sehen.

I am pleased to see you here at the job fair.

in Deutschland?

in DOYCH-lahnt

in Germany?

'Deutsch' sounds like 'doytch'.

Example

Ich wohne in Deutschland.

I live in Germany.

Words in this phrase

[in]

Expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else.

Example

Das Haus steht in Trümmern.

The house is in ruins.

Deutschland

[DOYCH-lahnt]

Germany

The country name.

Example

Deutschland spielt heute.

Germany plays today.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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