verb
to be
A1
Means 'to be' — the primary copular verb expressing existence, identity or state. Strong, highly irregular: present forms bin/bist/ist, past stem war-, participle gewesen. It functions as an auxiliary. Non‑reflexive. Does not require a specific preposition; predicates take nominative or adjective complements.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Als das Ergebnis bekannt wurde, war die Stimmung angespannt, weil die Folge schwerwiegend erschien.
When the result became known, the atmosphere was tense because the consequence seemed serious.
Ich bin müde.
I'm tired.
Früher war er oft in Berlin.
He used to be in Berlin often.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine a big sign that says 'I am' (ich bin) — the sign reminds you of 'sein'.
Sounds a bit like the English word 'sign' (pronounced 'zine'), which can remind you of 'to be' as a label or identity.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Sein is an essential irregular (strong) verb and the primary copula in German. It also functions as an auxiliary for some verbs in compound tenses. Very frequently used; irregular forms must be memorized (ich bin, du bist, er ist; past: ich war). | Intransitive/copula verb; passive voice conjugation blocks are not applicable. Note: Konjunktiv I plusquamperfekt forms are extremely rare and are marked 'not applicable' in the conjugation table.