Ich bin ein Berliner
The phrase "I am a berliner" is translated into German as Ich bin ein Berliner.
This phrase is used to express that a person is a resident or a citizen of Berlin. The phrase uses Ich, which is the first person singular subject pronoun meaning "I" and Berliner, which refers to a person from Berlin.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the subject Ich (I), the verb bin (am) and the noun phrase ein Berliner (a Berliner). The word bin is the first person singular form of the verb sein, which means "to be".
How does it change in a sentence?
To sound more like a native speaker when identifying your place of residence or origin, you can omit the indefinite article ein and say Ich bin Berliner. Ich bin Berliner is a more natural way to state your origin or profession in German.
Did you know?
- In many parts of Germany, a Berliner is not a person but a type of jam-filled doughnut.
- US President John F. Kennedy famously used the phrase Ich bin ein Berliner in a 1963 speech to show solidarity with West Berlin during the Cold War.
- There is a persistent urban legend that Kennedy accidentally told the crowd he was a doughnut, though Berliners understood his meaning perfectly.
Examples in context
- Alle freien Menschen, wo immer sie leben mögen, sind Bürger dieser Stadt Berlin, und deshalb bin ich als freier Mann stolz darauf, sagen zu können: Ich bin ein Berliner.All free people, wherever they may live, are citizens of this city of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I am proud to be able to say: I am a Berliner.This sentence is useful for showing how a person can express pride in being a citizen of Berlin.Tatoeba #8304258 by GuidoW, translation #8304259 by GuidoW
- Ich bin ein Berliner.I am a Berliner.This sentence is a simple example of the phrase Ich bin ein Berliner.Tatoeba #1037255 by GPHemsley, translation #1037256 by GPHemsley
- Guten Tag, ich bin ein Berliner. Mein Name ist Maria Becker.Good day, I am a Berliner. My name is Maria Becker.
- Woher kommst du?Where are you from?
- Ich bin ein Berliner, also kenne ich die Stadt gut.I am a Berliner, so I know the city well.
Example conversation
Laura and Felix are discussing where they live.
- LauraKommst du ursprünglich aus Deutschland, Felix?Are you originally from Germany, Felix?
- FelixJa, ich bin ein Berliner.Yes, I am a Berliner.
- LauraDas ist toll, ich besuche die Stadt bald.That's great, I'm visiting the city soon.
- FelixDann kann ich dir viele Orte zeigen.Then I can show you many places.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Berliner, Ich, bin, ein, ich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
