How to Say ‘Where are you from?’ in German
Woher kommen Sie?
voh-HAIR KOM-men zee
[voh-HAIR KOM-men zee]
💬 Usage Tip: [Sie] takes the same verb form as [sie] (they), so it's [kommen Sie], not [kommst Sie]. If you switch to informal [du], it becomes [Woher kommst du?]
🇩🇪 In Germany: Use [Sie] with adults you don't know yet, including new neighbours, staff, or older strangers. Waiting for the other person to offer [du] is the safe default in Germany.
Phrase Breakdown
Woher
[voh-HAIR]
from where
Used to ask about someone's origin or where they come from.
Woher kommen Sie, wenn ich fragen darf?
Where are you from, if I may ask?
kommen
[KOM-men]
come
A verb used for coming from a place or arriving.
Woher kommen Sie?
Where are you from?
Sie
[zee]
you
The formal German word for 'you,' used with strangers, customers, and in polite situations.
Woher kommen Sie?
Where are you from?
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