B
/beː/
The German symbol B represents the English word byte.
In technical contexts, the uppercase B is used as a symbol to denote a byte.
Meaning: byte (symbol)
Which one should you use?
In technical contexts, it is important to distinguish between forms: the uppercase B denotes 'byte', whereas the lowercase b denotes 'bit'.
How do you pronounce it?
/beː/
Did you know?
- In music theory notation used in Germany, the symbol B actually represents the note 'B-flat', whereas an 'B' in English refers to the natural note.
- If you are reading a technical German manual, a lowercase b might refer to 'bit', but it can also be an abbreviation for 'beziehungsweise', which means 'respectively' or 'or rather'.
- German computers use the same B symbol, but the word 'Byte' is treated as a neuter noun das Byte, which affects how it is declined in a sentence.
Examples in context
- Es gibt einen Plan B.There's a plan B.This sentence shows how to use B in the context of a plan.Tatoeba #11746291 by mhr, translation #11746156 by shekitten
- Hast du einen Plan B?Do you have a plan B?This sentence is a question regarding the possession of a plan containing B.Tatoeba #11811144 by mhr, translation #7229764 by Adelpa
- Es gibt keinen Plan B.There is no plan B.This sentence shows the absence of a plan containing B.Tatoeba #10724322 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10478157 by sundown
- Bitte beachten Sie diese Informationen.Please pay attention to this information.
- Bis bald!See you soon!
- Begrüßen Sie unsere Gäste herzlich.Welcome our guests warmly.
- Bist du bereit für die Party?Are you ready for the party?
- Lass uns zum Bäcker gehen und Brötchen kaufen!Let's go to the bakery and buy some rolls!
- Gib mir bitte die Butter.Please pass me the butter.
- Viel Erfolg!Good luck!
- 70 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are discussing a computer file's size.
- HannahWie groß ist die Datei in B?How large is the file in B?
- FelixSie ist nur wenige B groß.It is only a few B in size.
- HannahDas ist wirklich sehr klein.That is really very small.
- FelixJa, das ist fast gar nichts.Yes, that is almost nothing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry B, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
