sprechen
/ˈʃprɛçən/
To speak in German is sprechen.
sprechen is used to express the ability to communicate in a language. It is a common and neutral way to say 'speak'.
Meaning: to be able to communicate in a language (verb)
Which one should you use?
While sprechen refers to communicating using a language, the word reden is often used for the act of talking or chatting in a more general sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular form is spricht, the simple past form is sprach and the past participle is gesprochen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃprɛçən/
Did you know?
- The phrase Tacheles sprechen means to speak plainly and honestly, often in a blunt or confrontational way.
- When describing a person who is very quiet, Germans might say they are wortkarg, which literally means 'word-poor'.
- The expression mit jemandem sprechen can be used as a polite euphemism to tell someone they are in trouble or need a formal reprimand.
Examples in context
- Er kann kaum sprechen.He can hardly speak.This sentence shows how to express a limited ability to use sprechen.Tatoeba #1789970 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1439701 by CK
- Ich muss ihn sprechen.I've got to speak to him.This sentence demonstrates using sprechen when you need to talk to someone.Tatoeba #1941766 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1941223 by Spamster
- Sie sprechen sehr gut.You speak very well.This sentence shows how to praise someone's ability to use sprechen.Tatoeba #12613728 by Waldelfe, translation #10459743 by tchrspet1
- Ich spreche Deutsch.I speak German.
- Können Sie Englisch sprechen?Can you speak English?
- Er spricht fließend Französisch.He speaks French fluently.
- Wir müssen über das Projekt reden.We need to talk about the project.
- Können Sie bitte langsamer reden?Can you please speak slower?
- Der Vorsitzende wird gleich reden.The chairman will speak shortly.
- Lass uns quatschen!Let's have a chat!
- Wir sollten mal wieder quatschen.We should have a chat again sometime.
- Er quatscht den ganzen Tag.He talks/chat all day long.
- Hör auf zu labern!Stop babbling/talking nonsense!
- Die beiden labern nur Unsinn.Those two are just babbling/talking nonsense.
- Ich hab keine Lust, mit ihm zu labern.I don't want to talk with him.
- 1627 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian meet for the first time at a party.
- SarahHallo! Sprechen Sie auch Englisch?Hello! Do you also speak English?
- JulianJa, ich spreche Englisch und ein bisschen Deutsch.Yes, I speak English and a little German.
- SarahDas ist toll! Wo lernen Sie Deutsch?That is great! Where are you learning German?
- JulianIch lerne es in einer App.I am learning it in an app.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speak” translations and entries sprechen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
