adverb
how, as
A1
An interrogative/adverbial word meaning 'how' or 'as'. Use 1) 'how' in questions (Wie geht’s?), 2) 'as' in comparisons or similes (so groß wie). No auxiliary or reflexive. Can function in exclamations and relative clauses (e.g., 'wie er sagt'). Note difference with 'als' in unequal comparisons.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Sie ist so groß wie ihr Bruder.
She is as tall as her brother.
Wie geht es dir?
How are you?
Die Instruktoren erklärten, wie das Gerät funktionierte, damit die neuen Mitarbeiter es sicher bedienen konnten.
The instructors explained how the device worked so that the new employees could operate it safely.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture two people comparing heights with a sign 'wie' between them — 'as/like'.
Sounds like English 'vee' — think of asking 'vee?' = 'how?'.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
'wie' is used for questions ('Wie heißt du?') and comparisons ('so ... wie').