German · Common Verbs
Sein
To be
Beginnerverb
Definition
The fundamental verb of existence.
Example
Ich bin Lehrer und bin glücklich.
I am a teacher and I am happy.
Etymology
'Sein' originates from the Old High German 'sīn', meaning 'to be', which has cognates in several other Germanic languages. It represents the fundamental state of existence in German and has remained a core component of the language's verb system.
How & Where It’s Used
'Sein' is used in both formal and informal settings and appears across all types of written and spoken German. It serves as an auxiliary verb in various grammatical constructions and is essential in basic expressions of existence.