schreiben
/ˈʃraɪ̯bən/
The German phrase for "to write" is schreiben.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form is schreiben. In the present tense, the third person singular is schreibt (he/she/it writes or is writing). For the past tense, the simple past form is schrieb and the past participle is geschrieben.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃraɪ̯bən/
Did you know?
- There is a German idiom das schreibt man sich auf die Stirn, meaning 'to write it on one's forehead'. It describes someone whose mood or intentions are painfully obvious to everyone.
- In German, the term Vorschreiben (to write in front of/before) is a common way to say 'to prescribe' or 'to dictate' a rule.
- The German verb schreiben shares a common ancestor with the Latin verb scrībō, which is where we get the English word 'scribe'.
Examples in context
- Was soll ich schreiben?What do you want me to write?This sentence is useful for asking what should be written with schreiben.Tatoeba #8064719 by manese, translation #10691946 by CK
- Du musst was schreiben.You've got to write something.This sentence is useful for stating a necessity to write something with schreiben.Tatoeba #10039764 by Yorwba, translation #10047106 by sundown
- Hast du was zum Schreiben?Do you have something to write with?This sentence is useful for asking if one has something to write with using schreiben.Tatoeba #2790266 by freddy1, translation #25085 by CK
- Ich schreibe einen Brief.I am writing a letter.
- Bitte niederschreiben.Please write it down.
- Ich muss einen Vertrag abfassen.I have to write a contract.
- Ich schreib dir später eine Nachricht.I'll write you a message later.
- Ich kritzele gerne in meinem Notizbuch.I enjoy scribbling in my notebook.
- Ich tippe den Text ab.I am typing the text.
- 376 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Hannah are talking about a postcard.
- MaximilianWillst du die Karte schreiben?Do you want to write the card?
- HannahJa, ich kann sie jetzt schreiben.Yes, I can write it now.
- MaximilianSoll ich dir dabei helfen?Should I help you with that?
- HannahNein, ich kann das alleine schreiben.No, I can write that alone.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry schreiben, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schreiben, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
