The English verb “be” is sein in German. It is irregular, and its present-tense forms change substantially depending on the subject.
be in German = sein, pronounced approximately zine.
How Do You Say be in German?
Sein is the infinitive “to be.” Common present-tense forms include ich bin (I am), du bist (you are), and wir sind (we are).
Meaning: to be; am, are, is (by conjugation)
Use the correct conjugated form rather than the infinitive in an ordinary statement: Ich bin müde means “I am tired.” Our guide to to want in German gives examples of another modal verb. The infinitive sein follows a modal verb, as in Ich möchte zu Hause sein (“I would like to be at home”).
Different Ways to Express be
German sein is highly irregular. Memorize the present-tense forms and notice how the infinitive is used after another verb.
1. Sein — the infinitive
sein — to be. This dictionary form appears after modal verbs and in infinitive constructions.
2. Ich bin — I am
ich bin — I am. Bin is the first-person singular present form of sein.
3. Du bist / er ist — you are / he is
du bist; er ist — you are; he is. Bist is informal singular, while ist is used with er, sie, es, and formal Sie.
4. Wir sind — we are
wir sind — we are. Sind is used with wir, sie (they), and Sie (formal you). ihr takes seid.
be in German: Quick Comparison
Use this comparison to choose the form that best fits your sentence. Pay attention to whether you are counting, describing a quality, or referring to a particular situation.
| German | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| sein | to be | Infinitive form |
| ich bin | I am | Talking about yourself |
| du bist; er ist | you are; he is | Singular subjects |
| wir sind | we are | Plural subjects |
How to Pronounce sein
Sein is pronounced roughly like English “zine,” rhyming with “mine” and beginning with a voiced z sound. Keep the diphthong clear. The conjugated forms are bin, bist, ist, sind, seid, and sind; pronounce each final consonant clearly.
Example Sentences Using be
Read each example aloud and notice how the surrounding words give the phrase its exact meaning. The English translation is natural rather than a strict word-for-word rendering.
Meaning: I am at home today.
Use: Bin agrees with ich.
Meaning: Are you ready?
Use: Bist is the informal singular form.
Meaning: We are very happy.
Use: Sind is used with wir.
Frequently Asked Questions About be in German
Tap a question below to see the answer.
What is “be” in German?
The infinitive is sein, meaning “to be.”
How do you say “I am”?
Say ich bin.
What are the present forms of <em>sein</em>?
They are ich bin, du bist, er/sie/es ist, wir sind, ihr seid, sie/Sie sind.
Is <em>sein</em> regular?
No. It is one of German’s most irregular and frequently used verbs.
Can <em>sein</em> mean “his”?
Lowercase sein can also be a possessive meaning “his/its,” depending on context. Here it refers to the verb “to be.”
Summary: be in German
The German infinitive for “be” is sein. Memorize its irregular present forms: bin, bist, ist, sind, seid, sind. Use the matching form with the subject, and use the infinitive after modal verbs.
