singen
To sing
Use `singen` for any vocal music, from casual humming to professional choir performances in any social setting.
في 15 ثانية
- The basic German verb for making music with your voice.
- Used for everything from professional choirs to singing in the shower.
- A strong verb that is central to German social and cultural life.
المعنى
This word describes the act of making musical sounds with your voice. Whether you are a professional opera star or just someone who belts out tunes in the shower, you are 'singen'.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 7In the morning at home
Ich singe gerne unter der Dusche.
I like to sing in the shower.
At a birthday party
Wir singen jetzt ein Geburtstagslied.
We are singing a birthday song now.
Talking about a professional event
Der Chor singt heute Abend in der Oper.
The choir is singing at the opera tonight.
خلفية ثقافية
Germany has one of the highest densities of choirs in the world, with over 60,000 organized singing groups. The tradition of the 'Lied' (art song) is a cornerstone of German Romanticism, making singing a prestigious and deeply respected cultural activity. Regional folk songs, or 'Volkslieder', are still taught in many schools to preserve local dialects and history.
The 'Falsch' Factor
If you want to say you are tone-deaf or singing the wrong notes, use 'falsch singen'. It's very common and not always an insult!
Watch the Past Tense
Don't say 'ich singte'. It's 'ich sang'. It's an irregular verb, so the vowel changes completely in the past.
في 15 ثانية
- The basic German verb for making music with your voice.
- Used for everything from professional choirs to singing in the shower.
- A strong verb that is central to German social and cultural life.
What It Means
Singen is the simple, joyful act of using your voice to create music. It is a fundamental human activity that transcends language. In German, it works exactly like the English word 'to sing'. You can singen a song, a melody, or even just a single note. It is one of the first verbs you learn because it is so universal. It covers everything from a lullaby to a heavy metal concert.
How To Use It
You use singen as a standard verb in your sentences. It is a 'strong' verb, which means its stem changes in the past tense. For now, focus on the present: ich singe (I sing) or wir singen (we sing). You often pair it with ein Lied (a song). For example, Ich singe ein Lied. If you want to describe how you sing, add an adverb. You might sing schön (beautifully) or, if you are like me, falsch (out of tune). Just drop it into the sentence where the action happens.
When To Use It
Use this verb whenever music is involved. Use it at a birthday party when the cake comes out. Use it when you are talking about your hobbies with new friends. It is perfect for describing what happens at a concert or in a church. You can also use it when texting a friend about a catchy song. Dieses Lied singe ich den ganzen Tag! (I've been singing this song all day!). It is a high-energy, positive word for most social situations.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use singen if you are just humming without words; that is summen. Also, avoid using it in a library or a quiet train car. Germans value their Ruhe (quiet time) in public spaces. If you 'sing' to the police in a crime movie, it means you are snitching. In real life, stick to the musical meaning to avoid confusion. Don't use it to describe a bird's chirping unless you want to sound poetic; birds usually zwitschern.
Cultural Background
Germany has a deep, soul-stirring history with singing. It is the land of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, after all. Every small village usually has a Gesangverein (singing club) or a choir. Singing together is a massive part of German social glue. From the rowdy songs at Oktoberfest to the solemn carols at a Christmas market, voices are always raised. There is even a famous saying: 'Wo man singt, da lass dich ruhig nieder' (Where people sing, feel free to settle down).
Common Variations
You will often hear mitsingen, which means to sing along with others. It is a very social version of the word. Then there is vorsingen, which means to audition or sing in front of someone. If you are feeling fancy, you might trällern, which is to chirp or warble a tune lightheartedly. If you are singing very loudly and perhaps a bit badly, Germans might say you are gröhlen. Each variation adds a little flavor to the basic act of making music.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The verb is neutral and safe for all contexts. Just remember to conjugate it correctly as it is a strong verb.
The 'Falsch' Factor
If you want to say you are tone-deaf or singing the wrong notes, use 'falsch singen'. It's very common and not always an insult!
Watch the Past Tense
Don't say 'ich singte'. It's 'ich sang'. It's an irregular verb, so the vowel changes completely in the past.
The 'Ständchen' Secret
In Germany, giving someone a 'Ständchen' means singing a short song specifically for them, usually for a birthday or anniversary. It's a very sweet gesture.
أمثلة
7Ich singe gerne unter der Dusche.
I like to sing in the shower.
A very common, relatable way to use the verb casually.
Wir singen jetzt ein Geburtstagslied.
We are singing a birthday song now.
Shows the verb used in a common social ritual.
Der Chor singt heute Abend in der Oper.
The choir is singing at the opera tonight.
Demonstrates the verb in a formal, high-culture context.
Die Band hat live super gesungen!
The band sang great live!
Uses the past participle 'gesungen' in an informal text.
Mein Hund singt, wenn er die Mundharmonika hört.
My dog sings when he hears the harmonica.
Using the verb humorously for animal noises.
Die Mutter singt dem Kind ein Schlaflied.
The mother sings a lullaby to the child.
Captures a tender, emotional moment using the verb.
Du singst dieses Lied wirklich toll!
You sing this song really great!
A direct compliment to a friend.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct form of 'singen' for the first person singular (I).
Ich ___ jeden Tag im Auto.
In German, the 'ich' form of regular and many irregular verbs ends in '-e'.
Complete the sentence to ask if someone can sing.
Kannst du gut ___?
After a modal verb like 'kannst' (can), the main verb goes to the end in its infinitive form.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'singen'
Singing with friends or alone.
Ich singe unter der Dusche.
General statement about the ability or act.
Sie kann gut singen.
Professional or religious contexts.
Der Tenor singt die Arie.
Where to use 'singen'
Karaoke Bar
Wir singen Karaoke!
Birthday
Ein Lied singen.
Concert
Die Fans singen mit.
Church
Im Chor singen.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةMostly, yes. For birds, we usually use zwitschern (to twitter/chirp), though you can poetically say a bird singt.
The word is mitsingen. For example: Alle singen mit! (Everyone sing along!).
No, it's a strong verb. The forms are singen (present), sang (simple past), and gesungen (past participle).
No, humming is summen. Singen implies using words or clear musical notes.
It is a traditional German singing club or choral society, very popular in towns and villages.
You say Ich singe gerne. Adding gerne after the verb is the standard way to express liking an action.
Generally, yes, unless it's a festival or a designated area. Germans value Ruhe (quiet) in public transport and streets.
It means to sing out of tune or to hit the wrong notes. Example: Ich singe leider oft falsch.
Yes, just like in English, singen can be slang for 'snitching' or confessing to the police.
The term is Sänger (male) or Sängerin (female), often specified as Frontmann or Frontfrau in bands.
عبارات ذات صلة
ein Lied anstimmen (to strike up a song)
summen (to hum)
trällern (to warble/chirp a tune)
mitsingen (to sing along)
den Ton angeben (to set the tone/pitch)
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