German Phrase
Wo ist der Stopp‑Knopf?
Meaning
The sentence literally means ‘Where is the stop button?’ It is used when you need to locate the button that stops a machine, a device, or a piece of software. The phrase is neutral and works in both formal and informal contexts.
When to use
Use this question when you are in a workshop, on a train, in a conference room with a projector, or any situation where a device has a clearly marked stop function. It is especially handy for tourists or new employees who are unfamiliar with the layout of equipment.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WoistderStopp-Knopf?
Wo (interrogative adverb)
‘Wo’ asks for a location and is placed at the beginning of a yes‑no or wh‑question.
sein – ist (3rd person singular)
The verb ‘sein’ is irregular; in the present tense the 3rd person singular form is ‘ist’.
der (definite article, masculine, nominative)
‘Stopp‑Knopf’ is a masculine noun, so it takes the nominative article ‘der’ when it is the subject.
Compound noun with hyphen
‘Stopp‑Knopf’ is a compound noun; the hyphen clarifies the boundary between the two parts, especially when the first part ends with a consonant.
🗨In Conversation
Wo ist der Stopp‑Knopf?
Where is the stop button?
Er ist oben rechts neben dem Einschaltknopf.
It’s at the top right next to the power button.
✕Common Mistakes
Wo ist das Stopp‑Knopf?
‘Stopp‑Knopf’ is masculine, so the correct article is ‘der’, not ‘das’.
Wo ist der Stop‑Knopf?
In German the noun is usually written ‘Stopp‑Knopf’; dropping the second ‘p’ sounds like an English loanword and is considered a spelling error.
Wo der Stopp‑Knopf ist?
German main‑clause word order requires the verb in second position. The correct order is ‘Wo ist der Stopp‑Knopf?’
↔Alternatives
Wo finde ich den Stopp‑Knopf?
Where can I find the stop button?
Wo befindet sich der Stopp‑Knopf?
Where is the stop button located?
Wo ist die Aus‑Taste?
Where is the ‘off’ key?
Cultural Tip
German loves compound nouns, and ‘Stopp‑Knopf’ is a perfect example. The word ‘Stopp’ is borrowed from English, but you’ll also hear ‘Stopptaste’ or simply ‘Aus‑Knopf’ in technical manuals. When speaking to a customer service representative, keep the tone polite: ‘Entschuldigung, wo ist der Stopp‑Knopf?’