GermanWhat does the verb sein mean?
The verb sein can be translated as: to be
Examples
🇩🇪 Ich bin Lehrer.
🇬🇧 I am a teacher.
🇩🇪 Ich bin müde.
🇬🇧 I am tired.
Conjugation of the verb sein
Unlike many German verbs, sein is irregular, so you need to memorize its forms.
| Pronoun | Sein | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ich | bin | I am |
| Du | bist | you are (informal) |
| Er | ist | he is |
| Sie | ist | she is |
| Es | ist | it is |
| Wir | sind | we are |
| Ihr | seid | you are (plural, informal) |
| Sie | sind | they are |
| Sie | sind | you are (formal) |
How to use the verb “to be”
If you’re just starting to learn German, the first verb you should master is sein. It is one of the most important verbs in the language because it is used constantly to introduce yourself, describe people, talk about nationalities, professions, feelings, and many other everyday situations.
In English, sein corresponds to the verb to be, so learning it well from the beginning will help you build hundreds of sentences.
Using sein to introduce yourself
One of the first things you’ll learn is how to say who you are.
Examples
🇩🇪 Ich bin Carlos.
🇬🇧 I am Carlos.
🇩🇪 Ich bin Ana.
🇬🇧 I am Ana.
Talking about nationalities
The verb sein is used to indicate nationality.
Examples
🇩🇪 Ich bin Spanier.
🇬🇧 I am Spanish.
🇩🇪 Sie ist Deutsche.
🇬🇧 She is German.
Talking about professions
Examples
🇩🇪 Er ist Arzt.
🇬🇧 He is a doctor.
🇩🇪 Sie ist Lehrerin.
🇬🇧 She is a teacher.
Talking about feelings and states
We also use sein to describe how we feel.
Examples
🇩🇪 Ich bin müde.
🇬🇧 I am tired.
🇩🇪 Du bist glücklich.
🇬🇧 You are happy.
Talking about age
In German, sein is used, not the verb “to have” as in Spanish.
Examples
🇩🇪 Ich bin 25 Jahre alt.
🇬🇧 I am 25 years old.
🇩🇪 Sie ist 18 Jahre alt.
🇬🇧 She is 18 years old.
Talking about where you are
Examples
🇩🇪 Ich bin zu Hause.
🇬🇧 I am at home.
🇩🇪 Er ist im Büro.
🇬🇧 He is at the office.
Sentence structure
In German, the verb usually occupies the second position in the sentence.
Structure
Subject + sein + complement
Examples
🇩🇪 Ich bin Student.
🇬🇧 I am a student.
Common expressions with sein
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich bin müde | I am tired |
| Ich bin hungrig | I am hungry |
| Ich bin durstig | I am thirsty |
| Ich bin krank | I am sick |
| Ich bin glücklich | I am happy |
| Ich bin bereit | I am ready |
| Es ist gut | It is good / It’s okay |
| Es ist wichtig | It is important |
Example
🇩🇪 Ich bin hungrig.
🇬🇧 I am hungry.
Common mistakes
❌ Ich habe 20 Jahre.
✅ Ich bin 20 Jahre alt.
❌ Ich habe müde.
✅ Ich bin müde.
❌ Er sind Lehrer.
✅ Er ist Lehrer.
Summary
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| Ich | bin |
| Du | bist |
| Er/Sie/Es | ist |
| Wir | sind |
| Ihr | seid |
| Sie/sie | sind |
Remember that sein is one of the most commonly used verbs in German. If you learn its conjugation and practice simple sentences such as Ich bin müde, Du bist freundlich, or Wir sind bereit, you’ll be able to start communicating in German from day one.
Exercises
Quiz
