das heißt
/das haɪ̯st/
The English phrase "that is" (in the sense of "in other words") is translated into German as das heißt.
das heißt is used to clarify, specify or rephrase a previous statement.
Meaning: in other words (adv)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavaria, the colloquial variation Des is… is used, while in Switzerland, the colloquial variation Das isch… is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
In written German, the phrase is frequently abbreviated as d. h.
How do you pronounce it?
/das haɪ̯st/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use das ist to mean "in other words", but das heißt is the correct idiomatic choice for clarification.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'that is' to mean 'in other words', German uses the verb heißen, which literally means 'to be called'. Therefore, the phrase translates literally to 'that is called'.
- The German word das is a cognate of the English word 'that', as both descend from the Proto-Germanic word *þat.
- The regional shift from das to des in the Bavarian Des is… reflects a broader phonetic pattern in Upper German dialects.
Examples in context
- Es ereignete sich drei Jahre später, das heißt 1965.It happened three years later, that is in 1965.This sentence shows how to use das heißt to specify a date.Tatoeba #2208110 by Tamy, translation #42825 by CK
- Das heißt nicht, dass sich die beiden gegenseitig ausschließen.That is not to say the two are mutually exclusive.This sentence demonstrates how to use das heißt to clarify a logical relationship.Tatoeba #3704076 by brauchinet, translation #3704074 by shekitten
- Sie reisen in drei Tagen ab, das heißt am 10. Juni.They are leaving in three days, that is to say June 10th.This sentence shows how to use das heißt to provide a specific date for an event.Tatoeba #3263670 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #305431 by CK
- Das ist mein Auto.That is my car.
- Es handelt sich um einen wichtigen Brief.It is a matter of an important letter.
- Das ist mein Hund.That is my dog.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are discussing a meeting time.
- FelixWir treffen uns morgen um acht, das heißt um 8 Uhr morgens.We are meeting tomorrow at eight, that is, at 8 a.m.
- SarahAlles klar, ich bin pünktlich da.All right, I will be there on time.
- FelixWir treffen uns direkt vor dem Kino.We will meet directly in front of the cinema.
- SarahPerfekt, bis morgen dann, Felix!Perfect, see you tomorrow then, Felix!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “that is” translations and entries das heißt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries das, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
