German Was für ein(e) and Welche(r): The Easy Guide

"Was für ein(e)" and "welche(r)" are fun ways to ask about stuff in German—like what something is like or which one it is. They’re perfect for questions (like "What kind of dog?") and sometimes sneak into regular sentences too.

1. Was für ein(e) – "What kind of…?"

What It’s For

It’s like asking, "What’s this thing like?" or "What type is it?"—you want to know more, like if it’s big, small, fun, or boring. Example: Was für ein Hund? means "What kind of dog?" (Fluffy? Mean? Tiny?)

How It Works

  • Say was für plus ein (for boys’ things), eine (for girls’ things), or nothing (for lots of things), then the word.
  • Boy stuff (like "dog" = Hund): Was für ein Hund?
  • Girl stuff (like "bag" = Tasche): Was für eine Tasche?
  • Lots of stuff (like "people" = Leute): Was für Leute?
  • In questions: Was für ein(e) + thing + action—like Was für ein Buch liest du? (What kind of book are you reading?)
  • In normal talk (not super common): It’s like "Wow, what a…!"—Das ist was für ein Tag! (What a day!)

When You Use It

Asking about stuff: Great for finding out what something’s like. Talking big: Adds a “whoa!” feeling in regular sentences.

Examples to Get It

Questions

  1. Was für ein Hund läuft da? (What kind of dog is running there?—big? small?)
  2. Was für eine Tasche hast du? (What kind of bag do you have?—fancy? old?)
  3. Was für Leute kommen? (What kind of people are coming?—nice? loud?)

Normal Sentences

  1. Das ist was für ein Hund! (That’s what kind of dog!—cool or crazy!)
  2. Er hat was für ein Auto! (He’s got what kind of car!—amazing!)

2. Welche(r) – "Which…?"

What It’s For

It’s like asking, "Which one?"—you’re picking something specific from a bunch, like choosing a favorite. Example: Welcher Hund? means "Which dog?" (This one? That one?)

How It Works

  • Say welcher (for boys’ things), welche (for girls’ things or lots of things), or welches (for kid stuff), then the word.
  • Boy stuff (like "dog" = Hund): Welcher Hund?
  • Girl stuff (like "bag" = Tasche): Welche Tasche?
  • Kid stuff (like "child" = Kind): Welches Kind?
  • Lots of stuff (like "people" = Leute): Welche Leute?
  • In questions: Welche(r) + thing + action—like Welches Buch liest du? (Which book are you reading?)
  • In normal talk (not super usual): It’s like wondering out loud—Er liest welches Buch? (He’s reading which book?—huh?)

When You Use It

Asking to pick: Perfect when you want one exact answer. Wondering: Adds a “which one?” vibe in regular talk.

Examples to Get It

Questions

  1. Welcher Hund läuft da? (Which dog is running there?—that one or this one?)
  2. Welche Tasche hast du? (Which bag do you have?—the red one? blue one?)
  3. Welches Kind spielt da? (Which child is playing there?—yours? mine?)

Normal Sentences

  1. Das ist welcher Hund? (That’s which dog?—like "Which one is this?")
  2. Sie hat welche Tasche! (She’s got which bag!—surprised.)

Quick Look: Was für ein(e) vs. Welche(r)

What It AsksWas für ein(e)Welche(r)
What You WantWhat it’s like (type)Which one (specific)
ExampleWas für ein Hund? (Fluffy?)Welcher Hund? (That one?)
Answer"A big one!""The black one!"

Easy Tips to Remember

  • Was für ein(e): Think "What’s it like?"—use ein for one thing, skip it for lots.
  • Welche(r): Think "Which one?"—no ein, just welcher/welche/welches.
  • Boy, Girl, Kid:
    • Boys (like Hund) = ein/welcher.
    • Girls (like Tasche) = eine/welche.
    • Kids (like Kind) = ein/welches.

Tons of Fun Examples

Was für ein(e) – Questions

  1. Was für ein Hund ist das? (What kind of dog is that?—cute? wild?)
  2. Was für eine Jacke trägst du? (What kind of jacket are you wearing?—warm?)
  3. Was für ein Essen magst du? (What kind of food do you like?—spicy?)
  4. Was für Leute sind deine Freunde? (What kind of people are your friends?—fun?)
  5. Was für ein Spiel spielst du? (What kind of game are you playing?—hard?)

Was für ein(e) – Normal Talk

    < Warrning:Das ist was für ein Wetter! (This is what kind of weather!—wow!)
  1. Sie hat was für eine Tasche! (She’s got what kind of bag!—fancy!)

Welche(r) – Questions

  1. Welcher Hund ist dein? (Which dog is yours?—this one?)
  2. Welche Jacke trägst du? (Which jacket are you wearing?—the blue one?)
  3. Welches Essen magst du? (Which food do you like?—pizza?)
  4. Welche Leute sind deine Freunde? (Which people are your friends?—those ones?)
  5. Welches Spiel spielst du? (Which game are you playing?—that one?)

Welche(r) – Normal Talk

  1. Das ist welches Wetter? (This is which weather?—huh?)
  2. Er hat welches Auto! (He’s got which car!—what?!)

Playful Exercises to Practice

Exercise 1: Was für ein(e) – Questions

  1. ___ Hund hast du? (What kind?)
  2. ___ Tasche willst du? (What kind?)
  3. ___ Leute kennst du? (What kind?)
  4. ___ Essen machst du? (What kind?)
  5. ___ Tag ist morgen? (What kind?)

Exercise 2: Welche(r) – Questions

  1. ___ Hund hast du? (Which?)
  2. ___ Tasche willst du? (Which?)
  3. ___ Leute kennst du? (Which?)
  4. ___ Essen machst du? (Which?)
  5. ___ Tag ist morgen? (Which?)

Exercise 3: Pick the Right One

  1. ___ Hund läuft da? (What kind?)
  2. ___ Hund läuft da? (Which?)
  3. ___ Jacke magst du? (What kind?)
  4. ___ Jacke magst du? (Which?)
  5. Das ist ___ Tag! (What kind?)

Exercise 4: Fun Story

Fill in with was für ein(e) or welche(r).

  1. ___ Hund hast du? (What kind?)
  2. ___ Hund hast du? (Which?)
  3. ___ Tasche ist das? (What kind?)
  4. ___ Leute kommen heute? (Which?)
  5. Das ist ___ Wetter! (What kind?)

Super Easy Tips

  • Was für ein(e): Asking "What’s it like?"—use ein/eine for one thing, skip it for lots.
  • Welche(r): Asking "Which one?"—no extra words, just pick!
  • Practice: Say Was für ein Hund? (What kind?) and Welcher Hund? (Which one?)—feel the difference!

You’re Ready!

This easy guide keeps was für ein(e) and welche(r) simple with fun examples and exercises. You’re ready to ask about anything! Want more? Try simple verbs next or keep asking stuff—up to you!

See Also

Welcher & Dieser Als Usage Man, jemand...
Next: Man jemand... →