sagen
/zaːɡən/
The German verb for 'say' is sagen.
The verb sagen is used to communicate something verbally or in writing.
Meaning: to communicate verbally or in writing (verb)
Which one should you use?
While sagen means to say or state a fact, meinen is used when you want to express an opinion or mean something in a specific sense.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form of sagen is sagte, and the past participle is gesagt.
How do you pronounce it?
/zaːɡən/
Did you know?
- While sagen is the standard verb, the related word Sage refers to a legendary tale or a myth, linking the act of speaking to the act of storytelling.
- German speakers often use the phrase das sagt sich von selbst to mean something is 'self-evident' or 'goes without saying'.
- The German word sagen is a direct cognate of the English word 'say', meaning they both descended from the same ancestral Proto-Germanic word *sagjaną.
Examples in context
- Tom wird ja sagen.Tom will say yes.Tatoeba #2217518 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2215723 by CK
- Das sagen sie alle.That's what they all say.Tatoeba #3456919 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3456918 by Hybrid
- Was wirst du sagen?What will you say?Tatoeba #4552801 by Esperantostern, translation #2877541 by CK
- Er sagte mir, dass er gleich hier sein wird.He told me that he will be here soon.
- Bitte sprechen Sie den Satz langsam aus.Please say the sentence slowly.
- Können Sie Ihre Meinung zu dem Thema äußern?Can you express your opinion on the topic?
- Was hast du dazu gesagt?What did you say about it?
- Erzähl mir alles darüber.Tell me everything about it.
- Wir haben stundenlang geschwätzt.We chatted for hours.
- Der Lehrer sagte den Schülern, dass sie ihre Hausaufgaben machen sollten.The teacher told the students that they should do their homework.
- Meine Oma hat mir erzählt, dass sie einen Ausflug plant.My grandma told me that she is planning a trip.
- 2073 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are talking about a secret.
- JuliaKannst du mir die Wahrheit sagen?Can you tell me the truth?
- LukasIch darf es jetzt noch nicht sagen.I am not allowed to say it yet.
- JuliaBitte, sag es mir einfach!Please, just tell me!
- LukasIch werde es morgen sagen, Julia.I will say it tomorrow, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “say” translations and entries sagen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sagen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
