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German Phrase

Woran glaubst du wirklich?

/ˈvoːʁan ˈɡlaʊpst duː ˈvɪʁklɪç/
Meaning"What do you really believe?"
💡

Meaning

The sentence asks the listener to reveal the real belief or conviction they hold. It stresses sincerity, implying that the speaker suspects the answer might be superficial or uncertain.

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When to use

Use this question in deeper conversations when you want to know someone's true convictions—political, religious, or personal values. It works well in informal settings with friends, but can also appear in a more serious interview or counseling context.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Woranglaubstduwirklich

1

Woran (interrogative preposition)

‘Woran’ combines the preposition ‘wo‑’ (where) with ‘‑an’ and asks for the object or reason of a belief, feeling, etc.

2

glaubst (verb ‘glauben’)

‘glaubst’ is the 2nd‑person singular present of ‘glauben’ (to believe). It follows the subject ‘du’ and precedes the object or complement.

3

du (personal pronoun)

In questions the subject pronoun ‘du’ usually follows the verb (verb‑first order).

4

wirklich (adverb)

‘wirklich’ adds emphasis, meaning ‘really’ or ‘truly’, and is placed at the end of the clause in spoken German.

🗨In Conversation

A

Woran glaubst du wirklich?

What do you really believe?

Ich glaube fest an die Kraft der Bildung, um die Welt zu verändern.

I firmly believe in the power of education to change the world.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Was glaubst du wirklich?

    ‘Was’ asks for a thing, not the object of belief; ‘woran’ is required for ‘believe in/ about’.

  • Woran glaubst du wirklich du?

    The subject pronoun should stay after the verb, not at the end of the sentence.

  • Woran glaubst du wirklich?

    If you want a more formal tone, replace ‘du’ with ‘Sie’. The informal version is fine among friends.

↔Alternatives

  • Woran glaubst du eigentlich?

    What do you actually believe?

  • Was glaubst du wirklich?

    What do you really think/believe?

  • Woran bist du wirklich überzeugt?

    What are you truly convinced of?

de

Cultural Tip

German speakers value directness, but adding ‘wirklich’ softens the question by showing genuine interest rather than interrogation. In formal contexts you might replace ‘du’ with ‘Sie’ – ‘Woran glauben Sie wirklich?’ – to keep the tone polite.