Translation of German word "sein" to English
sein
/zeːn/
Meaning
VerbAs an auxiliary verb: Used with past participles of verbs to form the passive voice.
How to use
As an auxiliary verb: Used with past participles of verbs to form the passive voice.
🇬🇧 English
to be
Example
Ich werde Ihnen bald schreiben.
I will write to you soon.
Beim Essen unterhielten wir uns gern.
We enjoyed chatting while we ate.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationCommon phrases
- sein oder nicht sein— to be or not to be
- sein oder nicht— to be or not
- sein oder bleiben— to be or stay
- sein oder gehen— to be or go
- sein oder kommen— to be or come
More Articles & Pronouns words
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #16 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 "sein"?▼
The German word "sein" is defined as: "As an auxiliary verb: Used with past participles of verbs to form the passive voice."
What does the German word "sein" mean?▼
The German word "sein" means "to be" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "sein"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "sein" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "sein"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich werde Ihnen bald schreiben." (which translates as "I will write to you soon.").
Related reading
How Many Words Do You Need to Be Fluent in German?
Discover the science of vocabulary acquisition. Learn how many German words are needed for basic conversations, professional fluency, and near-native comprehension.
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 →