singen
/ˈzɪŋən/
To sing in German is singen.
The verb singen means to produce harmonious sounds with one’s voice. For example, Sie können singen is used to politely say that someone has the ability to sing, while Du kannst singen is the informal way to express the same thing.
Meaning: to produce harmonious sounds with one’s voice (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present form is singt. If you are speaking in the simple past, the form is sang and the past participle is gesungen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɪŋən/
Did you know?
- German has a unique word Singspiel, which describes a specific genre of opera with spoken dialogue, famously used by Mozart in The Magic Flute.
- Because of the strong tradition of choral music, many German towns have a Gesangsverein, a dedicated singing club that serves as a vital social hub for the community.
- The German word Singsang refers to a sing-song cadence or a repetitive, monotonous rhythm of speaking that sounds like singing.
Examples in context
- Singen Sie im Chor?Do you sing in the choir?This sentence is useful for asking if someone sings in a choir using singen.Tatoeba #11940759 by Naina, translation #6787783 by CK
- Singen Sie mit uns.Sing with us.This sentence is useful for inviting someone to sing with you using singen.Tatoeba #12379922 by mayabe, translation #2249965 by CK
- Er begann zu singen.He started to sing.This sentence is useful for describing the start of an action using singen.Tatoeba #1315361 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2768783 by CK
- Singen Sie bitte ein LiedPlease sing a song
- Singt alle laut und klarSing loud and clear, everyone
- Sie können wunderschön singenYou can sing beautifully
- Singe dein LieblingsliedSing your favorite song
- Singt zusammen und habt SpaßSing together and have fun
- Du kannst echt gut singenYou can really sing well
- Wenn du gerne singst, probiere es mit einem deutschen Lied aus.If you enjoy singing, try it with a German song.
- Meine Mutter hat mir immer vorgesungen, als ich klein war.My mother used to sing to me when I was little.
- Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass er so gut singen kann.I never thought he could sing so well.
- 411 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A music studio during a break.
- LauraWillst du heute Abend singen?Do you want to sing tonight?
- FelixJa, ich möchte gerne singen.Yes, I would like to sing.
- LauraSingen wir dann ein Duett?Shall we sing a duet then?
- FelixDas ist eine tolle Idee!That is a great idea!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sing” translations and entries singen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
