German Phrase
Was suchst du?
Meaning
Literally, “What are you looking for?” It can refer to a physical object you are trying to find, or more abstract things like information or a solution. The tone is informal and direct.
When to use
Use this question in casual conversation with friends, family, or shop staff when you want to know what someone is searching for. In formal settings replace ‘du’ with ‘Sie’: “Was suchen Sie?”.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wassuchstdu
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about something unknown; it means 'what' and stays unchanged regardless of case.
suchst (verb ‘suchen’ 2nd person singular)
The verb ‘suchen’ (to look for) is conjugated as ‘suchst’ for ‘du’ in the present tense.
du (personal pronoun)
Informal second‑person singular pronoun; placed after the verb in yes‑no and wh‑questions.
🗨In Conversation
Was suchst du?
What are you looking for?
Ich suche meine Schlüssel.
I’m looking for my keys.
✕Common Mistakes
Was sucht du?
‘sucht’ is the 3rd‑person singular form; with ‘du’ you need ‘suchst’.
Was du suchst?
In a wh‑question the verb comes before the subject pronoun.
Was suchst du?
Using ‘du’ in a formal context can sound rude; switch to ‘Sie’ when speaking to strangers or elders.
↔Alternatives
Wonach suchst du?
What are you looking for?
Was suchst du gerade?
What are you looking for right now?
Was suchst du denn?
What are you looking for, then?
Cultural Tip
German distinguishes between informal ‘du’ and formal ‘Sie’. In a store or with strangers, it’s safer to ask “Was suchen Sie?” to show respect. Also, Germans often add a small particle like ‘denn’ for a friendly, slightly more curious tone: “Was suchst du denn?”.