Sie heißt
The English phrase "her name is" is translated into German as Sie heißt.
This phrase is used to introduce a female person by stating her name.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Sie heißt translates to "She is called".
Which one should you use?
While Ihr Name ist is a literal translation of "Her name is", Sie heißt is the more natural and common way to introduce someone in German.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb heißen is conjugated in the third-person singular to match the subject Sie (she).
Did you know?
- In German, you can use the same word sie to mean 'she', 'they', or even a formal 'You' depending on the context and capitalization.
- While Sie heißt is the standard, using the literal Ihr Name ist is often reserved for official documents, passports or very formal registrations.
- In the 17th century, capitalization was introduced for Sie to help readers distinguish between the pronoun for 'she' and the formal form of address.
Examples in context
- Frag sie, wie sie heißt!Ask her what her name is.This sentence is useful for practicing how to form a command involving the phrase.Tatoeba #1846289 by Tamy, translation #1845552 by CK
- Ich weiß, wie sie heißt.I know what her name is.This sentence is useful for expressing knowledge of someone's name.Tatoeba #7766209 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7765014 by CK
- Ich weiß nicht, wie sie heißt.I don't know what her name is.Tatoeba #10117647 by wolfgangth, translation #3627339 by karloelkebekio
- Ihr Name ist Angela.Her name is Angela.
- Sie heißt Anna.Her name is Anna.
- Ihr Name ist Emma. Sie kommt aus Frankreich.Her name is Emma. She is from France.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah introduces her sister to Felix.
- SarahDas ist meine Schwester. Sie heißt Julia.This is my sister. Her name is Julia.
- FelixHallo Julia! Schön, dich kennenzulernen.Hello Julia! Nice to meet you.
- SarahSie lernt gerade Deutsch in Berlin.She is currently learning German in Berlin.
- FelixDas ist ja toll!That is great!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sie, sie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
