Yes/no questions: verb first

Ja/Nein-Fragen mit Verb zuerst

Turn a statement into a question that can be answered with ja or nein by placing the conjugated verb first.

A yes/no question has no question word. Put the conjugated verb first, then the subject: Sie arbeiten heute. → Arbeiten Sie heute? Your voice usually rises at the end when speaking.

Find the conjugated verb in the statement, move it to the front, keep the subject next, and add a question mark.

Use this form to check availability, ask permission, offer something, or confirm a fact.

Do not leave the subject first with question intonation in careful German. “Sie arbeiten heute?” can sound like surprised confirmation; the neutral question is “Arbeiten Sie heute?”

No W-word means the verb opens the question: Haben Sie …? Ist das …? Kann ich …?

Turn six short statements into neutral yes/no questions, including one with können and one with möchten.