In German
Wer
Meaning: who
Example sentences
Weristdas?
Who is that?
Wenhastdugesterngetroffen?
Who did you meet yesterday?
MitwemfährstdunachHamburg?
Who are you travelling to Hamburg with?
Grammar note
“Wer” changes with its role in the sentence: “wer” (subject), “wen” (direct object), “wem” (indirect object). In the example, “wen” is the object of “getroffen”.
Common mistake
Don't confuse “wer” (who) with “was” (what). “Wer ist das?” asks about a person; “Was ist das?” asks about a thing.
Quick check
Which of these means “who”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
How do I ask “who” in German?
Use “Wer?” for a question about a person, for example “Wer ist das?” (Who is that?).
What is the difference between wer, wen and wem?
They are the same question word in different cases: wer (subject), wen (direct object), wem (indirect object).