Geschichte
/ɡəˈʃɪçtə/feminine
The English word 'story' can be translated into German as Geschichte. Wiktionary also lists Erzählung.
Meaning: account of events (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Geschichte | /ɡəˈʃɪçtə/ (Germany) /ɡ̊eˈʃɪçtɛ/ (Austria, Southern Germany) |
feminine |
| Erzählung | /ɛɐ̯ˈt͡sɛːlʊŋ/ /-ˈt͡seː-/ |
feminine |
The word is used to describe an account of events. When you are referring to a single instance of a story, you use the feminine indefinite article eine.
Which one should you use?
Geschichte is the most common way to say 'story', but be aware that it also means 'history' (the study of past events). If you want to specifically refer to a narrative or a told tale, especially in a literary context to distinguish it from historical facts, you should use Erzählung.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both Geschichte and Erzählung are feminine nouns. The plural form of Geschichte is Geschichten, while the plural of Erzählung is Erzählungen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡəˈʃɪçtə/
Did you know?
- The verb inside Erzählung, zählen, can mean both 'to count numbers' and 'to tell a story'.
- The noun Erzählung is built from a prefix meaning 'out' and a verb meaning 'to count', effectively meaning 'to count out' a narrative.
- In the Bavarian dialect, Geschichte is often shortened to Gschicht in everyday speech.
Examples in context
- Was ist die Geschichte?What is the story?This sentence is useful for asking what a story is.Tatoeba #2172486 by Tamy, translation #42557 by CK
- Die Geschichte war wahr.The story was true.This sentence is useful for stating that a story was true.Tatoeba #1204044 by samueldora, translation #43273 by CK
- War ihre Geschichte wahr?Was her story true?This sentence is useful for asking if a story was true.Tatoeba #658263 by Manfredo, translation #430440 by FeuDRenais
- Die Geschichte des alten Schlosses ist faszinierend.The story of the old castle is fascinating.
- Ich habe eine interessante Erzählung gelesen.I have read an interesting story.
- Meine Großmutter erzählte mir als Kind immer Märchen.My grandmother used to tell me fairy tales when I was a child.
- Lass mich dir eine Geschichte erzählen.Let me tell you a story.
- Hast du die neue Story von Sarah gehört?Have you heard Sarah's new story?
- Hast du schon von der Sage der weißen Frau gehört?Have you heard about the story of the White Lady?
- 815 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Sarah are talking about a book.
- MaximilianErzähl mir die Geschichte von dem Buch.Tell me the story of the book.
- SarahDie Geschichte ist sehr traurig, Maximilian.The story is very sad, Maximilian.
- MaximilianPassiert das wirklich in der Geschichte?Does that actually happen in the story?
- SarahJa, das ist eine wahre Geschichte.Yes, it is a true story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “story” translations and entries Geschichte, Erzählung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Erzählung, Geschichte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
