“Woher kommen Sie?”
Where are you from? (formal)
Small TalkFormalA1
Literal Translation
Word for word: “From where come you?”
Pronunciation
/voˈheːɐ̯ ˈkɔmən ziː/
When to Use This Phrase
Germans may ask this out of genuine curiosity. It is normal small talk and not considered intrusive, though in multicultural cities some may find it loaded.
Example Sentences
Woher kommen Sie? — Ich komme aus Kanada.
Where are you from? — I'm from Canada.
Woher kommen Sie ursprünglich?
Where are you from originally?
Word Breakdown
Related Phrases
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