Du bist tot
The English phrase "you're dead" is translated into German as Du bist tot.
How does it change in a sentence?
Du bist tot uses the singular informal du (you) and the verb sein (to be) in the second person singular. If addressing someone formally, the phrase becomes Sie sind tot. If addressing a group of people informally, the phrase changes to Ihr seid tot.
Did you know?
- The phrase Du bist tot is often used figuratively in German to mean 'you are in big trouble' when spoken by a parent or partner.
- To describe someone who has passed away in a polite or euphemistic way, Germans use verstorben instead of tot.
- The word du is a cognate of the archaic English pronoun 'thou' used in the works of William Shakespeare.
Examples in context
- Noch ein Wort und du bist tot!One more word, and you're dead!Tatoeba #2950987 by freddy1, translation #2964430 by astyng
- Noch ein Wort, und du bist tot!Another word, and you're dead.Tatoeba #12632707 by Waldelfe, translation #12072833 by CK
- Noch ein Schritt, und du bist tot!One more step, and you're dead.Tatoeba #12212138 by Yorwba, translation #12213833 by Objectivesea
- Sie sind verstorben.You are deceased.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A dramatic moment in a movie where a villain threatens the hero.
- LukasDu bist tot, wenn du mich verrätst.You're dead if you betray me.
- JuliaDas wirst du niemals erleben, Lukas.You will never see that happen, Lukas.
- LukasGlaub mir, du bist tot.Believe me, you're dead.
- JuliaWir werden sehen.We shall see.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bist, du, tot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
