The verb sein
A1 · Beginner · Basics
The rule
ich bin, du bist, er ist, wir sind, ihr seid, sie sind.
How it works
Sein (to be) is one of the most irregular and most used verbs in German. It appears in identity statements, descriptions, locations and in the passive. Its forms are bin, bist, ist, sind, seid, sind. In the simple past it becomes war, and it is the auxiliary for several perfect tenses.
When to use it
Use sein (to be) to describe who or what something is, where someone is and how someone feels.
Use cases
- Saying who you are: Ich bin Anna.
- Describing where something is: Das Buch ist hier.
- Forming the perfect tense of verbs such as gehen and werden
Examples
- Ich bin müde – I am tired
- Wir sind müde. – We are tired.
- Seid ihr Studenten? – Are you students?
- Sie ist Lehrerin. – She is a teacher.
Common mistake
Mixing up the forms, for example "Ich bist" instead of "Ich bin".
Memory tip
Memorise the six forms as a sing-song: bin, bist, ist, sind, seid, sind.