Asking About Turn Order in German Board Games
Learn to ask 'Wer ist zuerst dran?' and 'In welcher Reihenfolge spielen wir?' in informal German, so you can clarify turn order at a game night without awkward pauses.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you sit down to a new board game in Germany, the first practical question is often who goes first and in what order. You don't need a rulebook translation to handle this: a few informal questions will get you playing. This lesson focuses on two core patterns: 'Wer ist zuerst dran?' (Who's first?) and 'In welcher Reihenfolge spielen wir?' (In what order do we play?). You'll also learn follow-ups like 'Bin ich danach dran?' and 'Wie machen wir das mit der Reihenfolge?' so you can confirm your place and keep the game moving. The register is informal and inquisitive, suitable for friends or a relaxed group. We'll stay with standard German and note where regional variants might appear.
By the end, you can…
- ask who goes first in a German board game using 'Wer ist zuerst dran?'.
- ask about the playing order with 'In welcher Reihenfolge spielen wir?'.
- confirm my own turn with 'Bin ich danach dran?'.
- suggest a way to decide order with 'Wollen wir das auslosen?'.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Wer ist zuerst dran?
Who's first?
vair ist tsoo-ERST dran
Use at the start of a game to ask who takes the first turn. 'Dran' is informal for 'it's someone's turn'.
In welcher Reihenfolge spielen wir?
In what order do we play?
in VEL-kher RYE-en-fol-guh SHPEEL-en veer
Ask this when the order isn't obvious, e.g., clockwise, by age, or by seat.
Bin ich danach dran?
Am I next after that?
bin ikh dah-NAKH dran
Confirm your place in the sequence. 'Danach' means 'after that'.
Wie machen wir das mit der Reihenfolge?
How do we handle the order?
vee MA-khen veer das mit dair RYE-en-fol-guh
A broader question when you want to discuss how to decide the order.
Wollen wir das auslosen?
Shall we draw lots for it?
VOL-en veer das OWS-loh-zen
Suggest a random method to decide who starts. 'Auslosen' means to draw lots or pick randomly.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The key pattern is 'Wer ist ... dran?' for asking whose turn it is, and 'Bin ich ... dran?' for asking about yourself. You can insert time words: 'Wer ist zuerst dran?' (Who's first?), 'Wer ist jetzt dran?' (Whose turn is it now?), 'Bin ich danach dran?' (Am I next after that?). For order, use 'In welcher Reihenfolge ...?' with a verb: 'In welcher Reihenfolge spielen wir?' or 'In welcher Reihenfolge ziehen wir?' (In what order do we draw?). These are informal and work well among friends.
When to use it
Use these questions when you're sitting down with a new game and the rules aren't clear about turn order, or when the group hasn't decided. For example, after someone explains the rules, you can ask: 'Und wer ist zuerst dran?' If the group seems unsure, ask: 'In welcher Reihenfolge spielen wir?' If you want to propose a method, say: 'Wollen wir das auslosen?' or 'Wollen wir im Uhrzeigersinn spielen?' (Shall we play clockwise?). These keep the tone collaborative and informal.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
So, wer ist zuerst dran?
So, who's first?zoh, vair ist tsoo-ERST dranKeine Ahnung. In welcher Reihenfolge spielen wir überhaupt?
No idea. In what order do we even play?KYE-nuh AH-noong. in VEL-kher RYE-en-fol-guh SHPEEL-en veer oo-ber-houptLass uns auslosen. Wer die höchste Zahl würfelt, fängt an.
Let's draw lots. Whoever rolls the highest number starts.las uns OWS-loh-zen. vair dee HUKH-stuh tsahl VUR-felt, fengt anOkay. Und bin ich danach dran?
Okay. And am I next after that?oh-KAY. unt bin ikh dah-NAKH dranA little context goes a long way
In German game nights, asking about turn order directly is normal and not considered rude. The informal 'du' form is standard among friends and peers. In more formal settings, such as a club, you might hear 'Wer ist zuerst an der Reihe?' instead of 'dran'. Regional variants exist: in some areas, 'dran' may be replaced by 'an der Reihe' or 'am Zug', but 'dran' is widely understood.
One thing to watch for
Translating 'Who's first?' as 'Wer ist erste?'
Try this instead: 'Erste' is an adjective meaning 'first' and doesn't work here. Use the fixed expression 'Wer ist zuerst dran?' or 'Wer fängt an?' (Who starts?). For example: 'Wer fängt an?' is also common and natural.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Who's first?' in informal German?
Show a sample answer
Wer ist zuerst dran?
This is the standard informal way. 'Wer fängt an?' is also correct and equally natural.
2How do you ask 'In what order do we play?'
Show a sample answer
In welcher Reihenfolge spielen wir?
This uses 'in welcher Reihenfolge' plus the verb. You could also ask 'Wie ist die Reihenfolge?' in a more casual way.
3How do you confirm 'Am I next after that?'
Show a sample answer
Bin ich danach dran?
This asks about your turn after the current one. 'Bin ich als Nächstes dran?' is another valid option.
Use 'Wer ist zuerst dran?' to find out who starts, and 'In welcher Reihenfolge spielen wir?' to clarify the order. Keep it informal and collaborative.
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