sei nett
The English phrase 'be nice' can be translated into German as sei nett.
This phrase is used as a request or command to behave in a friendly and considerate manner toward others. The adjective nett specifically describes a person's pleasant or friendly demeanor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form sei nett is the singular informal imperative, used when speaking to one person you know well. If you are speaking to two or more people you know well, use the plural informal imperative seid nett. The formal imperative Seien Sie nett is used when speaking to one or more people in a professional or respectful context. When saying 'be nice to [someone]', the German preposition zu is used instead of the English 'to'.
Did you know?
- The German word nett shares a common ancestor with the English word 'neat'. While 'neat' in English often means tidy or organized, its original Latin roots referred to being bright, shining, or polished.
- If a German speaker says Das ist ja nett with a specific falling intonation, it can actually be sarcastic, meaning 'that is just great' in a negative sense.
- The adjective nett is used differently than the English 'nice' because it rarely describes objects. While an English speaker might call a dress 'nice', a German speaker would use schön or hübsch instead of nett.
Examples in context
- Sei nett zu ihr.Be nice to her.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase sei nett when directing someone toward a female subject.Tatoeba #782566 by Hans_Adler, translation #308934 by CK
- Sei nett zu Ann.Be nice to Ann.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase sei nett when directing someone toward Ann.Tatoeba #823168 by Zaghawa, translation #66871 by CN
- Sei nett zu Tom!Be nice to Tom.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase sei nett when directing someone toward Tom.Tatoeba #10054735 by Melang, translation #2280265 by CK
- Seien Sie nett zu unseren Gästen, bitte.Please be nice to our guests.
- Sei nett zu deiner Schwester.Be nice to your sister.
- Bitte sei freundlich zu unseren Nachbarn.Please be friendly to our neighbors.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah is reminding Felix to be polite to their guest.
- SarahDer Gast kommt gleich, also sei nett!The guest is coming soon, so be nice!
- FelixIch bin doch immer nett.I am always nice, though.
- SarahBitte, sei einfach nett zu ihm.Please, just be nice to him.
- FelixOkay, Sarah, ich verspreche es.Okay, Sarah, I promise.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nett, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
