German Phrase
Hast du dir die Zähne geputzt?
Meaning
This sentence asks whether you have brushed your teeth. It uses the perfect tense with a reflexive dative pronoun, which is the typical way to talk about personal hygiene actions that affect the subject.
When to use
Use it in informal conversation when you want to check if someone has already brushed their teeth – for example in the morning before leaving the house, after a meal, or when reminding a child about bedtime routine.
✦Grammar Breakdown
HastdudirdieZähnegeputzt?
Hast (auxiliary)
‘Hast’ is the 2nd person singular present of ‘haben’, used as the auxiliary verb to form the perfect tense.
du (subject pronoun)
‘du’ is the informal singular pronoun, placed after the finite verb in yes‑no questions.
dir (reflexive dative)
With ‘sich die Zähne putzen’ the person gets the dative reflexive pronoun ‘dir’, while the teeth are the accusative object.
die Zähne (accusative object)
‘die Zähne’ is the plural accusative of ‘der Zahn’; it is the thing being brushed.
geputzt (past participle)
The main verb ‘putzen’ appears as the past participle ‘geputzt’ at the end of the clause.
Word order in yes‑no questions
In German questions the finite verb comes first, followed by the subject, then any objects, and finally the participle.
🗨In Conversation
Hast du dir die Zähne geputzt?
Did you brush your teeth?
Ja, ich habe sie gerade geputzt.
Yes, I just brushed them.
✕Common Mistakes
du hast dir die Zähne geputzt?
In a yes‑no question the finite verb must be in first position, not after the subject.
Hast du die Zähne geputzt?
Missing the reflexive dative ‘dir’; while understandable, the idiomatic form includes it.
Hast du dir die Zahn geputzt?
‘Zahn’ is singular; you need the plural ‘Zähne’ when talking about all teeth.
↔Alternatives
Hast du deine Zähne geputzt?
Did you brush your teeth?
Bist du schon mit dem Zähneputzen fertig?
Are you already done brushing your teeth?
Hast du schon die Zähne geputzt?
Have you already brushed your teeth?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking households, asking about personal hygiene is common among family members and close friends, but it can feel intrusive in a formal setting. The reflexive construction ‘sich die Zähne putzen’ is standard; you’ll also hear the shorter ‘Zähne putzen’ without the reflexive pronoun, especially in headlines or instructions.