worauf

Worauf is a German interrogative and relative pronoun formed from the combination of the question word wo with the preposition auf. It functions as the object of the preposition auf and translates roughly as “on what” or “to what.” The form is used in both questions and in relative clauses, and it often replaces longer phrases such as auf was or auf welchen.

In interrogative sentences, worauf denotes what is being referred to in connection with the preposition auf. Examples include Worauf wartest du? (What are you waiting for?) and Worauf kommt es an? (What does it come down to?/What matters?)

In relative clauses, worauf can refer to a thing or aspect previously mentioned, linking the clause to its antecedent. Examples include Der Plan, worauf wir uns geeinigt haben, and Das ist der Punkt, worauf ich hinauswill. In many contexts, worauf can be used interchangeably with a construction that uses the preposition gearing to the relative pronoun plus a determiner, such as Der Grund, auf den wir uns einigen. The choice between worauf and auf den/auf das + relative pronoun can depend on stylistic preference and emphasis.

Worauf belongs to a broader family of fused prepositional pronouns in German, formed by combining wo- with a preposition and a corresponding indirect pronoun. Other forms in this family include wofür, wovon, wobei, woraus, and worüber. These forms are common in everyday language and in formal writing, contributing to concise, fluid expressions.