DaF-Blog

Like that? – Wieso?

12. Juni 2005

During German class Mary asks about a sentence using the word „Wieso?“. The sentence is correct and I am a bit puzzled as I explained the grammar rule in question only minutes ago, but being a patient teacher I start explaining anew. Mary, however, reacts impatiently, telling me that she already knows this. So why bother aksing for an explanation?
The misunderstanding derives from a translation error. Mary translated the English phrase „like that“ literally to „wie so“. This sounds like the German word „wieso“, a synonym for warum (why). The fitting German translation for „like that“ is simply „so“.

Mary: So?
Lehrerin: Ja, genau.