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How to Say ‘What kind of idea?’ in German

Was für eine Idee?

vas fyr EYE-nuh ee-DAY

[vas fyr EYE-nuh ee-DAY]

💬 Usage Tip: Was für ein...? asks what kind of thing something is, not which one. Swap the noun: Was für ein Problem? "What kind of problem?"

Phrase Breakdown

Was für

vas fyr

What kind of

'Was für' asks 'what kind of'. 'Was' sounds like 'vahs'.

Example

Was für ein Auto hast du?

What kind of car do you have?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vas]

what

Question word asking about a thing.

Example

Was machst du?

What are you doing?

für

[fyr]

for

A preposition indicating purpose or destination.

Example

Das ist für dich.

This is for you.

eine Idee?

EYE-nuh ee-DAY

an idea?

The same 'eine Idee' as before, now with rising question intonation: 'ee-DAY?'.

Example

Hast du eine Idee?

Do you have an idea?

Words in this phrase

eine

[EYE-nuh]

The feminine accusative article before 'Frage.'

Example

Ich möchte Ihnen eine Frage zur Arbeitskultur stellen.

I would like to ask you a question about work culture.

Idee

[ee-DAY]

idea

A thought or suggestion; feminine noun (die Idee).

Example

Die Idee ist super.

The idea is great.

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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