How to Say ‘What's going on?’ in German
Was ist denn los?
vahs ist denn lohs
[vahs ist denn lohs]
💬 Usage Tip: [Denn] in questions often doesn't mean [then]. It adds a tone like [so] or [then]: [Was ist denn los?] = [So what's wrong?]
Phrase Breakdown
Was
[vahs]
what
Question word used to ask what the issue is.
Was ist mit der Heizung passiert?
What happened with the heating?
ist
[ist]
is
Form of sein used in questions and statements.
Was ist heute das Problem?
What is the problem today?
denn
[denn]
actually / then
A small word that makes the question sound more natural and conversational.
Was ist denn los? klingt freundlicher als nur Was ist los?.
'Was ist denn los?' sounds friendlier than just 'What is wrong?'.
los
[lohs]
going on / wrong
Part of the common phrase asking what is happening or wrong.
Was ist denn los, warum gibt es kein warmes Wasser?
What is going on, why is there no hot water?
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