German Phrase
Wen versuchst du zu erreichen?
Meaning
The sentence asks ‘Who are you trying to reach?’ It inquires about the person the speaker is attempting to get in contact with, whether by phone, email, or in person.
When to use
Use this question when you want to know the target of someone's attempt to contact someone else, for example in a call center, during a group chat, or when planning a meeting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wenversuchstduzuerreichen?
Wen (Accusative)
‘Wen’ is the accusative form of ‘wer’ and is used for direct objects (people) in a question.
versuchen + zu + infinitive
‘versuchen’ is a modal-like verb that requires ‘zu’ before the infinitive of the main verb.
du (subject pronoun)
In informal speech the subject pronoun ‘du’ follows the verb in a question (verb‑first word order).
erreichen (infinitive)
The main verb meaning ‘to reach, to get in touch with’; it takes a direct object in the accusative.
🗨In Conversation
Wen versuchst du zu erreichen?
Who are you trying to reach?
Ich versuche meine Mutter zu erreichen.
I'm trying to reach my mother.
✕Common Mistakes
Wer versuchst du zu erreichen?
‘Wer’ is nominative; the question needs the accusative form ‘wen’ because it is the direct object of ‘erreichen’.
Du versuchst zu erreichen wen?
German questions use verb‑first order; the correct order is ‘Wen versuchst du zu erreichen?’.
Wen versuchst du erreichen zu?
The infinitive marker ‘zu’ must stay directly before the infinitive, not after the subject.
↔Alternatives
Wen willst du erreichen?
Who do you want to reach?
Wen möchtest du erreichen?
Who would you like to reach?
Wen soll ich für dich kontaktieren?
Who should I contact for you?
Cultural Tip
German questions often place the verb first, followed by the subject. Remember that ‘wen’ is used only for people (accusative). In formal contexts you would replace ‘du’ with ‘Sie’: ‘Wen versuchen Sie zu erreichen?’