Translation of German word "wissen" to English
wissen
/ˈviːsn̩/
Meaning
VerbTo perceive the truth or factuality of; to be certain of; to be certain that.
How to use
The irregular mixed verb wissen ('to know a fact / be aware of') conjugates like a modal verb in the present: ich weiß, du weißt, er weiß, wir wissen. Past forms: wusste, hat gewusst. Do not confuse with kennen (to know/be acquainted with a person, place, or object).
🇬🇧 English
to know
Example
Ich weiß, dass ich Recht habe und dass du Unrecht hast.
I know that I'm right and that you're wrong.
Er wusste, dass etwas Schreckliches passieren würde.
He knew something terrible was going to happen.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- Ich weiß nicht.— I don't know.
- Bescheid wissen— to be informed / know about it
- Wer weiß?— Who knows?
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "wissen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich habe gewusst
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #168 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "wissen"?▼
The German word "wissen" is defined as: "To perceive the truth or factuality of; to be certain of; to be certain that."
What does the German word "wissen" mean?▼
The German word "wissen" means "to know" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "wissen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "wissen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "wissen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich weiß nicht, wo das Hotel liegt." (which translates as "I know that I'm right and that you're wrong.").
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