German Phrase
Wann bist du angekommen?
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to ask someone when they reached a destination. It uses the German 'Perfekt' tense, which is the most common way to talk about the past in spoken conversation. The verb 'ankommen' is a separable verb, meaning the prefix 'an' moves in certain conjugations, though it stays attached in this participle form.
When to use
Use this when greeting a friend who has just traveled, meeting someone at a designated spot, or checking in on a colleague's travel progress. It is informal because it uses 'du', so use it with friends, family, or peers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wannbistduangekommen
Wann
An interrogative adverb used specifically for asking about time or 'when'.
Bist (Sein)
The verb 'ankommen' indicates a change of location, so it requires the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be) instead of 'haben' (to have).
Angekommen
The past participle of the separable verb 'ankommen'. The 'ge-' is placed between the prefix 'an' and the root 'kommen'.
🗨In Conversation
Hallo! Schön, dass du da bist. Wann bist du angekommen?
Hello! Great that you are here. When did you arrive?
Gerade eben, der Zug hatte leider Verspätung.
Just now, the train was unfortunately delayed.
✕Common Mistakes
Wann hast du angekommen?
In German, verbs of movement or change of state like 'ankommen' use 'sein' (bist) as the auxiliary verb, not 'haben' (hast).
Wann bist du ankommen?
You must use the past participle 'angekommen' to form the past tense, not the infinitive.
↔Alternatives
Um wie viel Uhr bist du gekommen?
At what time did you come?
Wann war deine Ankunft?
When was your arrival?
Cultural Tip
Punctuality is highly regarded in German-speaking cultures, so asking about arrival times is very common. While Northern Germans might occasionally use the simple past in writing, the 'Perfekt' used here is the universal standard for speaking across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.