VerbA1

sein

to be (existence, identity, state) · to exist · to be (auxiliary for perfect tense)

Sein is the German verb 'to be'. It is one of the most common and irregular verbs, used for existence, identity, states, and as an auxiliary for the perfect tense of many verbs.

What sein means

  1. to be (existence, identity, state) — Used to link a subject to a noun, adjective, or location.
  2. to exist — In phrases like 'da ist' (there is) or 'da sein' (to be there).
  3. to be (auxiliary for perfect tense) — Forms the Perfekt of verbs of motion or state change, e.g., 'ich bin gegangen'.

Heard in real German videos

Lines where sein was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.

  • Das Auto ist doch gar kein Gemüse.The car is not a vegetable at all.
  • Der Zug ist da!The train is here!

Example sentences

  • Ich bin müde.I am tired.
  • Das ist mein Bruder.That is my brother.
  • Wir sind zu Hause.We are at home.
  • Er ist gestern angekommen.He arrived yesterday.

Grammar

Present (ich/du/er)bin / bist / ist
Simple pastwar
Perfectist gewesen (with sein)
Separableno
Case it takesnominative (predicate)

Sein is highly irregular; memorize its forms: ich bin, du bist, er/sie/es ist, wir sind, ihr seid, sie sind; past: ich war, du warst, er war, wir waren, ihr wart, sie waren.

Common phrases

  • Wie geht es dir?How are you?
  • Es ist kalt.It is cold.
  • Da bin ich mir sicher.I am sure of that.
  • Sein oder NichtseinTo be or not to be

The mistake English speakers make

English speakers often forget to conjugate sein for the subject, e.g., saying 'ich sein' instead of 'ich bin'. Always use the correct form.

Don’t confuse it with

  • haben — Haben means 'to have' and is used as an auxiliary for most verbs, while sein is used for verbs of motion or state change.
  • werden — Werden means 'to become' and is used for future tense and passive, not for existence or identity.

Questions learners ask

When do I use sein as an auxiliary in the perfect tense?

Use sein with verbs that indicate a change of state or movement from one place to another, such as gehen, fahren, kommen, aufstehen, sterben, etc.

What is the difference between 'sein' and 'ihr' as possessive pronouns?

Sein can be a verb meaning 'to be' or a possessive pronoun meaning 'his' or 'its' (e.g., sein Buch). As a possessive pronoun, it differs from 'ihr', which means 'her', 'their', or 'your' (formal).

How do I form the past tense of sein?

The simple past is 'war' (ich war, du warst, er war, wir waren, ihr wart, sie waren). The perfect is 'ist gewesen'.

Related words

habenwerdenbleiben