How to Say ‘What's wrong?’ in German
Was ist denn los?
vahs ist den lohs
[vahs ist den lohs]
💬 Usage Tip: [denn] in questions often doesn't mean [then]. It softens the question or adds a feeling of [so/actually]: [Was ist denn los?], [Wo sind Sie denn?]
Phrase Breakdown
Was ist
vahs ist
what is
Starts the question; together with “los” it means “what’s going on?”
Was ist passiert?
What happened?
Words in this phrase
Was
[vahs]
what
Question word asking for an explanation.
Was ist denn los mit dem Boiler?
What is wrong with the boiler?
ist
[ist]
is
Form of 'sein' used in questions and statements.
Was ist denn los in der Wohnung?
What is going on in the apartment?
denn
[den]
then / actually
Adds a natural conversational tone to the question.
Was ist denn los mit dem Wasser?
What is wrong with the water, then?
los
[lohs]
going on / wrong
Used to ask what the problem is.
Was ist denn los mit der Dusche?
What is wrong with the shower?
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