wissen
to know (a fact, information)
Wissen means 'to know' a fact, information, or how something is. It is used for knowledge that can be stated, not for knowing people or places (that is 'kennen'). Germans use it constantly in phrases like 'ich weiß' (I know) and 'weißt du' (you know).
Heard in real German videos
Lines where wissen was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Ich weiß doch, was du vorhast.I know what you're up to.
- Keine Sorge, ich weiß, was ich tue.Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.
- Du weißt nicht, wer ich bin.You don't know who I am.
Example sentences
- Ich weiß die Antwort.I know the answer.
- Weißt du, wo der Bahnhof ist?Do you know where the train station is?
- Er wusste nicht, dass sie kommt.He didn't know that she was coming.
- Wir wissen, wie man das macht.We know how to do that.
Grammar
| Present (ich/du/er) | weiß / weißt / weiß |
|---|---|
| Simple past | wusste |
| Perfect | hat gewusst |
| Separable | no |
| Case | accusative (direct object) or clause |
The present tense forms are irregular: ich weiß, du weißt, er/sie/es weiß, wir wissen, ihr wisst, sie/Sie wissen. The past tense is irregular: wusste, hat gewusst.
Common phrases
- weißt duyou know (filler phrase)
- ich weiß nichtI don't know
- wer weiß?who knows?
- so viel ich weißas far as I know
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often confuse 'wissen' with 'kennen'. Use 'wissen' for facts and information, but 'kennen' for being acquainted with people, places, or things. For example: 'Ich weiß die Antwort' (I know the answer) but 'Ich kenne den Mann' (I know the man).
Don’t confuse it with
- kennen — Kennen means to be familiar with a person, place, or thing, while wissen is for knowing facts or information.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between wissen and kennen?
Wissen is used for knowing facts, information, or how to do something. Kennen is used for being familiar with people, places, or things. For example: 'Ich weiß die Antwort' (I know the answer) but 'Ich kenne Berlin' (I know Berlin).
How do you conjugate wissen in the present tense?
The present tense is irregular: ich weiß, du weißt, er/sie/es weiß, wir wissen, ihr wisst, sie/Sie wissen.
What is the past tense of wissen?
The simple past is 'wusste' and the perfect is 'hat gewusst'. For example: 'Ich wusste das nicht' (I didn't know that) and 'Er hat es gewusst' (He knew it).