sie
she · they · you (formal)
The German pronoun 'sie' can mean 'she', 'they', or 'you' (formal). The meaning depends on the verb form and context. It is one of the most common words in German.
What sie means
- she — referring to a feminine noun or a female person
- they — referring to plural nouns or multiple people
- you (formal) — addressing one or more people politely; always capitalized as 'Sie'
Heard in real German videos
Lines where sie was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Sie kommt aus einer anderen Welt, Sumi.She comes from another world, Sumi.
- Ja, gern. Zum Glück sind sie schnell hier.Yes, gladly. Luckily they're quick to get here.
- Oh, wo will sie denn hin?Oh, where's she going?
Example sentences
- Sie ist meine Schwester.She is my sister.
- Sie spielen im Garten.They are playing in the garden.
- Können Sie mir helfen?Can you help me? (formal)
Grammar
| Type | personal pronoun |
|---|---|
| Nominative | sie |
| Accusative | sie |
| Dative | ihr (3rd person singular feminine), ihnen (3rd person plural), Ihnen (formal you) |
| Genitive | ihrer (3rd person singular feminine), ihrer (3rd person plural), Ihrer (formal you) |
The verb ending usually tells you which 'sie' is meant: 'sie kommt' (she comes), 'sie kommen' (they come), 'Sie kommen' (you come, formal).
Common phrases
- Wie geht es Ihnen?How are you? (formal)
- sie selbstshe herself / they themselves
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often confuse 'sie' (she/they) with 'Sie' (formal you). Remember that 'Sie' (formal you) is always capitalized, even in the middle of a sentence.
Don’t confuse it with
- ihr — 'ihr' can mean 'her' (dative), 'their', or 'you' (informal plural), while 'sie' is nominative or accusative.
Questions learners ask
When do I use 'sie' vs 'Sie'?
Use 'sie' (lowercase) for 'she' or 'they'. Use 'Sie' (capitalized) for formal 'you', both singular and plural.
How do I know if 'sie' means 'she' or 'they'?
Look at the verb conjugation: 'sie kommt' (she comes) vs 'sie kommen' (they come). Context also helps.
What is the difference between 'sie' and 'ihr'?
'sie' is nominative or accusative, while 'ihr' can be dative of 'sie' (her), possessive 'her/their', or informal plural 'you'.