sie sind
The German phrase for 'they are' is sie sind.
sie sind is a phrase used to describe the state or identity of a group of people or things.
Which one should you use?
The phrase sie sind can mean both 'they are' and the formal 'you are' depending on the context and capitalization. In writing, the distinction between 'they are' and the formal 'you are' is marked by capitalization.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase sie sind is used for the third-person plural 'they are'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the lowercase sie sind (they are) with the formal Sie sind (you are), which is distinguished by capitalization in writing.
Did you know?
- German uses sie sind for any group regardless of gender, but historically, the language had three distinct versions of sie for masculine plural, feminine plural and neuter plural.
- If a German speaker uses sie sind to refer to a group of people they are currently looking at, they might use a pointing gesture to clarify they mean 'they' and not the formal 'you'.
- The word sind was originally spelled with a t at the end in Middle High German. The modern d spelling emerged because the combination nd is far more common in the German language than nt.
Examples in context
- Sie sind im Weg.They are in the way.This sentence is useful for describing someone's position.Tatoeba #1700862 by Esperantostern, translation #265659 by CK
- Sie sind sehr alt.They are very old.This sentence is useful for describing age.Tatoeba #1584294 by Esperantostern, translation #1568819 by Sharaf78
- Sie sind von hier.They are from here.This sentence is useful for describing someone's origin.Tatoeba #8349229 by manese, translation #9988830 by sundown
- Sie sind pünktlich.They are punctual.
- Sie sind meine Kollegen.They are my colleagues.
- Die Leute sind sehr freundlich.They are very friendly.
- Die Leute sind engagiert.They are committed.
- Sie sind großartig!They are great!
- Sie sind wunderbare Köche.They are wonderful cooks.
- Die Jungs sind lustig.They are funny.
- Die Mädels sind nett.They are nice.
- 317 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are looking at a group of people through a window.
- FelixWer sind die Leute?Who are those people?
- SarahSie sind meine neuen Kollegen.They are my new colleagues.
- FelixSind sie nett?Are they nice?
- SarahJa, sie sind sehr sympathisch.Yes, they are very likable.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sie, sind, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
