German Phrase
Prüf, ob die Rauchmelder funktionieren.
Meaning
The sentence is a direct instruction to check whether the smoke detectors are functioning properly. It combines an imperative command with an indirect yes/no question.
When to use
Use this phrase in safety‑related contexts: at work, in a building inspection, or when you’re responsible for household safety and need to verify that the alarms are operational.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Prüf,obdieRauchmelderfunktionieren.
Imperativ (2. Person Singular)
‘Prüf’ is the informal singular imperative of ‘prüfen’. It’s used for direct commands to one person you address with ‘du’.
‘ob’ for indirect yes/no questions
‘ob’ introduces an indirect question meaning ‘whether/if’. It is followed by a normal clause with subject‑verb order.
Verb conjugation – plural
‘funktionieren’ is the present‑tense 3rd‑person plural form of ‘funktionieren’ (to work), matching ‘die Rauchmelder’.
Definite article with plural nouns
In German, plural nouns normally take the definite article ‘die’ in the nominative case.
🗨In Conversation
Prüf, ob die Rauchmelder funktionieren.
Check whether the smoke detectors are working.
Ja, ich habe gerade den Testknopf gedrückt und sie funktionieren einwandfrei.
Yes, I just pressed the test button and they’re working fine.
✕Common Mistakes
Prüf, wenn die Rauchmelder funktionieren.
‘wenn’ introduces a conditional clause, not an indirect yes/no question. Use ‘ob’ here.
Prüf, ob Rauchmelder funktionieren.
Dropping the article makes the sentence sound incomplete. The plural noun needs ‘die’ in the nominative.
Prüf, ob die Rauchmelder funktioniert.
‘funktioniert’ is singular; the subject ‘Rauchmelder’ is plural, so the verb must be ‘funktionieren’.
↔Alternatives
Überprüfe, ob die Rauchmelder funktionieren.
Verify whether the smoke detectors are working.
Sieh nach, ob die Rauchmelder funktionieren.
See if the smoke detectors are working.
Stell sicher, dass die Rauchmelder funktionieren.
Make sure the smoke detectors are working.
Cultural Tip
In Germany, regular testing of smoke detectors is required by law in many federal states. Safety instructions are often phrased in the imperative, especially in workplaces, schools, and apartment complexes. Using the informal ‘du’ form (Prüf) is common among colleagues or family members, while a more formal setting would prefer ‘Überprüfen Sie…’.