German · Everyday Verbs
"to be" in German: sein
sein
To be in German is the verb sein. It is irregular: ich bin, du bist, er ist, wir sind. Beginners meet sein constantly in names, jobs, and locations.
Introducing yourself
Ich möchte Arzt sein.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce sein
Say it
zine
/zaɪ̯n/
Zine, like English "zine" or "sign" with a z. The s is voiced. One syllable for the infinitive sein.
"to be" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| sein | to be Infinitive and dictionary form. | Infinitive and dictionary form. |
| ich bin / du bist / er ist | I am / you are / he is Core present forms. | Core present forms. |
| wir sind / ihr seid / sie sind | we/you/they are Plural present forms. | Plural present forms. |
| gewesen | been Past participle with sein or haben depending on meaning. | Past participle with sein or haben depending on meaning. |
How to use sein in real life
- 1Introducing yourself
Ich möchte Arzt sein.
I want to be a doctor.
After möchte the infinitive sein stays at the end.
- 2Classroom talk
Könnt ihr bitte ruhig sein?
Can you please be quiet?
Ihr seid is the finite form; here sein is the infinitive after könnt.
- 3Talking about plans
Das wird spannend sein.
That will be exciting.
Future uses werden + infinitive sein.
Mistakes English speakers make with sein
Incorrect: Ich sein Student.
Correct: Ich bin Student.
Conjugate sein. Ich takes bin, not the infinitive.
Incorrect: Du sein müde.
Correct: Du bist müde.
Conjugate sein: du takes bist, not the infinitive sein.
Good to know
Sein is also a possessive: sein Buch means his/its book. Context tells you whether sein is the verb to be or the word for his. Beginners mix them at first; the verb usually needs a subject ending like bin or ist nearby.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing roles for a short sketch
ChatPal
Willst du der Kellner sein?
Do you want to be the waiter?
You
Okay, ich kann der Kellner sein.
Okay, I can be the waiter.
ChatPal
Gut. Dann werde ich die Kundin sein.
Good. Then I'll be the customer.
You
Perfekt. Das wird lustig sein!
Perfect. That will be fun!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to be" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to be" in German
Why doesn't ich sein exist?
Because sein is irregular. Ich bin, du bist, er/sie/es ist, wir sind, ihr seid, sie sind.
How do you say I want to be…?
Ich möchte … sein or Ich will … sein, with sein at the end.
Is gewesen the past of sein?
Yes, gewesen is the past participle. Example: Ich bin in Berlin gewesen.
Does sein also mean his?
Yes. Sein Hund = his dog. The verb forms help you tell them apart.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
