German Phrase
Woran denkst du?
Meaning
Literally, "About what are you thinking?" It asks the listener to reveal the topic or idea occupying their mind at the moment. It can be used both literally (e.g., "What are you thinking about this project?") and figuratively (e.g., "What are you worrying about?").
When to use
Use this informal question in casual conversation with friends, classmates, or colleagues when you want to know the subject of someone's thoughts. It’s not suitable for formal settings; there you would switch to "Worüber denken Sie?".
✦Grammar Breakdown
Worandenkstdu
Woran
A prepositional adverb formed from "wo" (where) + "an" (about). It asks for the object of thought, equivalent to "about what".
denken (du denkst)
The verb "denken" means "to think". In the present tense, 2nd person singular is "du denkst".
du
Informal singular pronoun. Use with friends, family, or peers; not appropriate in formal contexts.
🗨In Conversation
Woran denkst du?
What are you thinking about?
Ich überlege, ob ich das Wochenende nach Berlin fahren soll.
I'm wondering whether I should go to Berlin this weekend.
✕Common Mistakes
Was denkst du?
"Was denkst du?" means "What do you think?" (opinion), not "What are you thinking about?"
Wo denkst du?
"Wo" asks for a location, not the object of thought.
Worauf denkst du?
"Worauf" asks about a target or purpose ("what are you thinking about (to achieve)?"), which changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Worüber denkst du?
What are you thinking about?
An was denkst du?
What are you thinking of?
Was hast du im Kopf?
What's on your mind?
Worüber grübelst du?
What are you brooding over?
Cultural Tip
In everyday German, "Worüber" is the most common way to ask about the content of someone's thoughts. "Woran" is perfectly correct but slightly more formal and can sound a bit literary. Remember to match the pronoun to the level of familiarity: use "du" with friends, "Sie" in formal contexts (e.g., "Worüber denken Sie?").