Translation of German word "bedeuten" to English
bedeuten
/bəˈdeːtn̩/
Meaning
VerbTo signify or convey a particular sense, idea, or significance; to have as its meaning.
How to use
The weak verb bedeuten ('to mean / signify / imply') has the non-separable prefix be- and conjugates regularly: ich bedeute, du bedeutest, er bedeutet, hat bedeutet. It is used to explain definition or importance (Was bedeutet dieses Wort? — What does this word mean?). The related adjective is bedeutend (significant/important).
🇬🇧 English
to mean
Example
Das Wort 'Freund' bedeutet ein guter Bekannter.
The word 'friend' means a good acquaintance.
Ich wollte dir nicht den Zahn ausschlagen.
I didn't mean to knock your tooth out.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- nichts bedeuten— to mean nothing
- viel bedeuten— to mean a lot / be very important (requires dative for person: 'bedeutet mir viel')
- das Wort bedeutet— the word means...
More Core Verbs words
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "bedeuten"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin/bedeutet
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #246 in German
Learn them all! 🚀
Master the 1000 most common German words with smart explanations, audio pronunciation, and spaced repetition.
Start Learning For Free →No sign-up required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "bedeuten"?▼
The German word "bedeuten" is defined as: "To signify or convey a particular sense, idea, or significance; to have as its meaning."
What does the German word "bedeuten" mean?▼
The German word "bedeuten" means "to mean" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "bedeuten"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "bedeuten" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "bedeuten"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Das Wort 'Freund' bedeutet ein guter Bekannter." (which translates as "The word 'friend' means a good acquaintance.").
Related reading
100 Most Common German Verbs (with examples & conjugation)
Master the 100 most frequent German verbs. Learn their meanings, see them in action with example sentences, and access direct dictionary links to see full conjugation tables.
Read →GermanA1 → B1 in German: A Realistic Step-by-Step Roadmap
A realistic guide to moving from absolute beginner (A1) to intermediate (B1) in German. Learn what to study at each level, timeline estimates, and resources.
Read →