❓🤲

How to Say ‘What have you got there?’ in German

Was haben Sie denn da?

vahs hah-ben ZEE den da

[vahs hah-ben ZEE den da]

💬 Usage Tip: denn here doesn't mean "because". In questions it just adds a friendly, curious tone, like "so, what's that?"

Phrase Breakdown

Was haben

vahs hah-ben

What have

A question word followed by the verb 'haben' (to have). The 'h' is pronounced.

Example

Was haben wir heute?

What do we have today?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vahs]

what

Question word used to ask for information.

Example

Ich frage im Café: Was ist heute besonders gut?

I ask in the café: What is especially good today?

haben

[hah-ben]

have

To possess or hold something.

Example

Ich habe ein Buch.

I have a book.

Sie denn da?

ZEE den da

you got there?

'denn' is a particle that makes the question sound curious and friendly. 'da' means there.

Example

Was ist denn da?

What's that there?

Words in this phrase

Sie

[ZEE]

You (formal)

Formal way to address someone.

Example

Sind Sie bereit zu bestellen?

Are you ready to order?

denn

[den]

then / actually

A modal particle that makes a question sound more natural, like 'then' or 'actually.'

Example

Was ist denn mit der Heizung los?

So what is wrong with the heating?

[da]

there

In, at, or to that place or position.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am there.

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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