sagen
to say · to tell
Sagen means 'to say' or 'to tell'. It is the most common verb for expressing speech in German. It is used in everyday conversation and can also introduce reported speech.
What sagen means
- to say — Used when reporting words or expressing something verbally.
- to tell — Used when directing speech to someone, often with a dative object.
Heard in real German videos
Lines where sagen was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Wie oft soll ich es noch sagen?How many times do I have to say it?
- Du musst nur das Wort sagen.You just have to say the word.
- Er hat gesagt, ein anderes Mal.He said, another time.
Example sentences
- Ich sage die Wahrheit.I am telling the truth.
- Er sagt, dass er kommt.He says that he is coming.
- Kannst du mir sagen, wo der Bahnhof ist?Can you tell me where the train station is?
- Sie sagte nichts.She said nothing.
Grammar
| Present (ich/du/er) | sage / sagst / sagt |
|---|---|
| Simple past | sagte |
| Perfect | hat gesagt |
| Separable | no |
| Case | accusative (what is said), dative (to whom) |
The perfect tense uses 'haben'. The past participle is 'gesagt'.
Common phrases
- das Sagen habento be in charge
- sagen wir mallet's say
- nichts zu sagen habento have no say
- wie man so schön sagtas they say
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often confuse 'sagen' with 'sprechen' or 'reden'. Use 'sagen' for saying something specific, 'sprechen' for speaking a language or speaking formally, and 'reden' for talking informally.
Don’t confuse it with
- sprechen — Sprechen means 'to speak' and is used for languages or formal speech, while sagen means 'to say' something specific.
- reden — Reden means 'to talk' and implies a conversation, while sagen focuses on the act of saying words.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between sagen, sprechen, and reden?
Sagen means 'to say' something specific, sprechen means 'to speak' (a language or formally), and reden means 'to talk' (conversationally).
How do you conjugate sagen in the present tense?
ich sage, du sagst, er/sie/es sagt, wir sagen, ihr sagt, sie/Sie sagen.
Is sagen a separable verb?
No, sagen is not separable. However, there are separable verbs derived from it, like 'absagen' (to cancel) or 'ansagen' (to announce).