German Phrase
Wer ist der Chef dieser Abteilung?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the identity of the person who holds the top position in the specified department. It is a direct, neutral way to inquire about hierarchy in a professional setting.
When to use
Use this question in meetings, introductions, or when you need to know who to report to within a company. It works both in formal office environments and in more casual team discussions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WeristderChefdieserAbteilung?
Wer (question word)
‘Wer’ asks about a person and stays at the beginning of a yes‑no or information question.
Verb‑second (V2) order
In main clauses the finite verb ‘ist’ occupies the second position, right after the question word.
Der Chef (noun + article)
‘Chef’ is a masculine noun; the definite article ‘der’ is in the nominative case because it is the subject.
Genitive case – ‘dieser Abteilung’
‘Abteilung’ is feminine; the genitive singular uses the ending ‘-er’ for the demonstrative ‘dies‑’, giving ‘dieser Abteilung’ meaning ‘of this department’.
Question mark
A question mark is placed at the end of the sentence to signal an interrogative.
🗨In Conversation
Wer ist der Chef dieser Abteilung?
Who is the boss of this department?
Das ist Frau Müller, sie ist seit drei Jahren die Abteilungsleiterin.
That’s Ms. Müller; she has been the department head for three years.
✕Common Mistakes
Wer ist der Chef von dieser Abteilung?
‘von’ would require the dative case; the correct genitive construction is ‘dieser Abteilung’.
Wer ist der Chef dieses Abteilung?
‘Abteilung’ is feminine; the genitive singular uses ‘dieser’, not ‘dieses’.
Wer ist der Chef die Abteilung?
Missing the genitive article; you need ‘der’ before ‘Abteilung’ in the genitive.
↔Alternatives
Wer leitet diese Abteilung?
Who leads this department?
Wer ist der Leiter dieser Abteilung?
Who is the head of this department?
Wer ist für diese Abteilung verantwortlich?
Who is responsible for this department?
Cultural Tip
In German workplaces ‘Chef’ can feel informal or even slightly colloquial; in written or very formal contexts you’ll often hear ‘Leiter/Abteilungsleiter’. Also, German business culture values clear titles, so using the exact job title (e.g., ‘Abteilungsleiterin’) shows respect.