gestern
/ˈɡɛstərn/
The German word for yesterday is gestern. Wiktionary also lists gestriger Tag.
Meaning: day before today (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| gestern | /ˈɡɛstərn/ /ˈɡɛstɐn/ |
| gestriger Tag |
Use 'gestern' as an adverb to mean 'yesterday' (e.g., 'I saw him yesterday'), whereas 'gestriger Tag' is a noun phrase meaning 'yesterday' (the day itself). To refer to the day before yesterday, you can add the prefix vor- to gestern to form vorgestern.
Which one should you use?
Use the adverb gestern to describe when an action occurred, such as 'I saw him yesterday'. Use the noun phrase gestriger Tag when you are referring to yesterday as a specific day (the day itself).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, gestern is indeclinable, which means it does not change its form or ending regardless of its role in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡɛstərn/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tom war gestern da.Tom was there yesterday.This sentence shows how to use gestern to indicate when someone was present.Tatoeba #6865075 by benbika, translation #6864800 by CK
- Es war heiß gestern.It was hot yesterday.This sentence demonstrates using gestern to describe the weather.Tatoeba #531330 by Espi, translation #244519 by CK
- War es gestern kalt?Was it cold yesterday?This sentence is an example of asking a question about the weather using gestern.Tatoeba #655160 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #244510 by CK
- Wir haben gestern eine wichtige Besprechung gehabt.We had an important meeting yesterday.
- Gestern hatte ich keine Zeit, aber heute kann ich Ihnen helfen.I didn't have time yesterday, but today I can help you.
- Am Vortag des Ereignisses hat es stark geregnet.It rained heavily the day before the event.
- Ich habe gestern einen neuen Film gesehen.I watched a new movie yesterday.
- Gestern war ich bei Anna zu Besuch.I visited Anna yesterday.
- 2475 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are talking about a movie.
- SarahHast du gestern den Film gesehen?Did you see the movie yesterday?
- LukasNein, ich hatte gestern leider keine Zeit.No, unfortunately I had no time yesterday.
- SarahDas ist schade, er war wirklich gut.That is a pity, it was really good.
- LukasDann schaue ich ihn mir heute an.Then I will watch it today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yesterday” translations and entries gestern, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Tag, gestern, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
