You are a beginner who has read that German yes/no questions start with the conjugated verb, but you freeze when you actually need to ask one. You know the phrases Bist du bereit? and Magst du Tee? from the lesson, yet in a real conversation you might still say a statement with rising intonation. This workshop gives you three short role-plays where you must ask at least one yes/no question aloud, listen to the answer, and respond. You will practise the verb-first pattern with du and Sie, use Ja, Nein, and Doch correctly, and handle one unexpected complication in each scene. The goal is not to memorise new grammar, but to make the pattern automatic enough that you can ask a simple question without translating word for word in your head.
Preparation: drill the verb-first move before you speak
Before starting the role-plays, take five common statements and turn each one into a yes/no question by moving the conjugated verb to position one. Use only the verbs and forms from the lesson: bist, magst, sprichst, hast, and the polite möchten Sie. For example, start with 'Du bist bereit' and produce 'Bist du bereit?' Then do the same with 'Du magst Tee' and 'Du hast Zeit.' Say each question aloud twice, once slowly and once at normal speed. Pay attention to the verb ending: du forms often end in -st, and the polite Sie form uses the infinitive after möchten. If you catch yourself adding an English-style 'do' word, stop and restart with the verb. This five-minute warm-up makes the role-plays feel less like translation and more like a habit.
Handling the harder turn: answering a negative question
The trickiest moment in these role-plays is when someone asks you a negative yes/no question, such as 'Magst du Tee?' or 'Hast du Zeit?' In English, you might answer 'Yes, I do' to contradict the negative, but German uses Doch for that. If you are actually hungry, say 'Doch, ich habe Hunger.' If you are not hungry, say 'Nein, ich habe keinen Hunger.' The same logic applies to 'Magst du Tee?' Answer 'Doch, ich mag Tee' if you do like it, or 'Nein, ich mag keinen Tee' if you do not. Practise this contrast aloud before the role-plays, because the negative question is where beginners most often say Ja and accidentally agree with the negative. When the follow-up turn comes, listen for keinen or keine and choose Doch or Nein deliberately.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Bist du bereit?
Are you ready?
bist doo buh-RITE
Magst du Tee?
Do you like tea?
mahkst doo tay
Sprichst du Deutsch?
Do you speak German?
shprikhst doo doych
Hast du Zeit?
Do you have time?
hahst doo tsyte
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bist du bereit?
Are you ready?Ja, ich bin bereit.
Yes, I am ready.Magst du Tee?
Do you like tea?Nein, aber ich mag Kaffee.
No, but I like coffee.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Asking a friend if they are ready and have time
You are meeting a friend named Lena at a café. You arrived early and want to check whether she is ready to order and whether she has time to stay for a while. You have her phone number but you are speaking in person now. She looks distracted and is still holding her coat.
Your task: Greet Lena and ask two yes/no questions aloud: first whether she is ready, then whether she has time. Use the du form. After each question, wait for her answer and respond with a short reaction. If she says yes, confirm and suggest ordering. If she says no, ask one follow-up question to find out when she will be ready.
Ordering politely at a café with a negative question
You are at a café counter. The person behind the counter is a stranger, so you use Sie. You want to order a coffee, but the server asks you a negative question first: 'Möchten Sie einen Kaffee?' You actually do want coffee. There is also tea on the menu, and you are not sure whether you want tea instead.
Your task: Answer the negative question with Doch, then ask one polite yes/no question about tea using möchten Sie. Say aloud what you want to order and confirm it. Use the polite Sie form throughout. If the server asks whether you want milk, answer with a clear Ja or Nein and add one short reason.
Checking language ability and making a plan
You are at a language meetup. A new person named Alex introduces themselves and asks whether you speak German. You are a beginner, so you understand some questions but cannot speak fluently. Alex seems friendly and uses du. You want to practise, but you also want to know whether Alex speaks English in case you get stuck.
Your task: Answer Alex's question about whether you speak German honestly. Then ask Alex two yes/no questions aloud: whether Alex speaks English, and whether Alex has time to practise for thirty minutes. Use the du form. When Alex answers, react with a short sentence and ask one more question about when to meet.
Common questions
Do I need to add a German word for 'do' when I ask a yes/no question?
No. German does not use a separate word like English 'do' in yes/no questions. You simply move the conjugated verb to the first position, as in 'Magst du Tee?' The verb itself carries the question.
When should I use du and when should I use Sie in these role-plays?
Use du with friends, family, and people your age in casual settings. Use Sie with strangers, older people, and service situations. The verb form changes: du bist, du magst, du hast, but Sie sind, Sie möchten, Sie haben.
What should I say if someone asks me a negative question and I want to disagree?
Use Doch to contradict a negative question. If someone asks 'Magst du Tee?' and you do like tea, answer 'Doch, ich mag Tee.' Saying Ja here would agree with the negative and confuse the listener.
Sources and further reading
- german: asking yes no questionsChecked September 2026
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