Das Verb 'Mean' verstehen: Was meinst du?
clarity und confidence!
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'mean' to define words, explain your intentions, or ask for clarification using the preposition 'by'.
- Use 'mean + noun' to define things: 'Aardvark means a type of animal.'
- Use 'mean + to + verb' for intentions: 'I didn't mean to break it.'
- Use 'mean by' for clarification: 'What do you mean by that?'
Overview
mean ist einer der wichtigsten Bausteine der englischen Sprache. Als Deutschsprachige neigen wir dazu, es oft mit dem deutschen Wort „meinen“ gleichzusetzen, aber im Englischen ist der Anwendungsbereich deutlich breiter und präziser. Während wir im Deutschen zwischen „etwas bedeuten“, „etwas meinen“ (im Sinne von glauben/denken) und „etwas beabsichtigen“ unterscheiden, deckt mean im Englischen all diese Bereiche ab.mean in fast jeder Alltagssituation auftaucht – sei es beim Meeting im Büro, bei der Wohnungssuche oder beim entspannten Feierabendbier.mean beherrschst, klingt dein Englisch sofort natürlicher.What do you mean? der Standard. Wenn du eine Absicht ausdrücken willst, ist I meant to... unverzichtbar.mean korrekt zu verwenden, müssen wir die Logik hinter der Satzstruktur verstehen. Im Deutschen haben wir oft komplexe Verbkonstruktionen oder trennbare Verben, die den Satzbau verändern. Das Englische ist hier deutlich konstanter.mean folgt der SVO-Struktur (Subject-Verb-Object), wobei das Objekt je nach Bedeutung variiert.- 1Definition/Signifikation: Hier entspricht
meandem deutschen „bedeuten“. Beispiel:This sign means 'stop'. Hier wird ein Symbol mit einer Bedeutung verknüpft. Das ist sehr geradlinig.
- 1Absicht (Intention): Hier wird es interessant. Wenn du ausdrücken willst, dass du etwas tun wolltest, nutzt du
mean+to-infinitive. Im Deutschen sagen wir oft „Ich hatte vor, ... zu tun“. Das englischeI meant to call youist die direkte Entsprechung. Achtung: Im Deutschen nutzen wir oft das Modalverb „wollen“ oder „vorhaben“, im Englischen istmeanhier das Standardverb für eine Absicht, die man (vielleicht) nicht umgesetzt hat.
- 1Konsequenz/Folge: Wenn eine Handlung ein logisches Ergebnis hat, nutzen wir
mean+gerund(-ing Form). Beispiel:Rain means staying inside. Im Deutschen würden wir eher sagen: „Regen bedeutet, dass wir drinnen bleiben müssen“. Der Nebensatz mit „dass“ entfällt im Englischen oft zugunsten des Gerundiums. Das ist eine effiziente Struktur, die du dir angewöhnen solltest.
- 1Persönliche Bedeutung: Hier nutzen wir
mean+a lot/everything+to. Das ist eine sehr emotionale Konstruktion. Im Deutschen sagen wir: „Das bedeutet mir viel“. Die Struktur ist fast identisch, was diesen Punkt für uns Deutsche sehr einfach macht.
mean ist ein unregelmäßiges Verb. Das musst du auswendig lernen, da es im Englischen keine „schwache“ Konjugation mit -t gibt wie bei „kaufen/kaufte“. Die Formen sind: mean (Präsens), means (3. Person Singular), meant (Vergangenheit/Partizip).It means a lot. |I meant to call. |I didn't mean that. |What do you mean? |do/does/did, und das Hauptverb mean bleibt immer in der Grundform. Das ist eine der größten Erleichterungen gegenüber der deutschen Grammatik, wo sich die Verben in der Vergangenheit stark verändern.mean in verschiedenen Lebensbereichen:- Im Büro: Wenn du ein Projekt erklärst:
This deadline means we need to work faster.(Konsequenz) - In der Uni: Wenn du einen Fachbegriff definierst:
What does 'inflation' mean?(Definition) - Im Alltag/WhatsApp: Wenn du dich korrigieren willst:
I'll be there at 5 – I mean, 6.(Korrektur) - In Beziehungen: Um Wertschätzung zu zeigen:
Your support means everything to me.(Persönliche Bedeutung)
I meant to... dein bester Freund. Wenn du über logische Folgen sprichst, nutze das Gerundium.- 1Verwechslung mit „become“: Viele Deutsche sagen „What does this mean-become?“. Das ist ein klassischer Fehler, weil „bekommen“ im Deutschen „to get“ heißt.
meanhat nichts mit „werden“ zu tun. Lerne:mean= bedeuten/meinen,become= werden.
- 1Falsche Satzstellung bei Nebensätzen: Im Deutschen setzen wir das Verb am Ende („...was das bedeutet“). Im Englischen bleibt
meannach dem Subjekt:I don't know what that means(nicht:I don't know what that means is).
- 1Übermäßiger Gebrauch von „think“: Wenn wir „Ich meine, dass...“ sagen wollen, nutzen wir im Deutschen „meinen“. Im Englischen ist
I meanaber kein Ersatz fürI think(meine Meinung).I meandient meist der Klarstellung. Wenn du deine Meinung sagst, nutzeI thinkoderI believe.
mean |mean + Infinitiv für Absicht |I mean ist gegenwärtig (z.B. bei einer Korrektur: „Ich meine...“). I meant ist Vergangenheit (z.B. „Ich hatte die Absicht...“).Meaning wird oft als „die Bedeutung“ genutzt (z.B. The meaning of life). Es ist die Nominalisierung des Verbs, ähnlich wie wir im Deutschen „das Bedeuten“ (eher selten) oder „die Bedeutung“ nutzen.2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
do not mean
|
don't mean
|
Common
|
|
does not mean
|
doesn't mean
|
Common
|
|
did not mean
|
didn't mean
|
Common
|
Conjugation of the Verb 'Mean'
| Tense | Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I/You/We/They
|
mean
|
I mean what I say.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He/She/It
|
means
|
It means a lot.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
meant
|
I meant to call.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
I/You/We/They
|
have meant
|
I have always meant to visit.
|
|
Past Participle
|
All subjects
|
meant
|
It was meant to be.
|
|
Gerund
|
All subjects
|
meaning
|
Meaning well isn't enough.
|
Meanings
The verb 'mean' is used to express the sense of a word, the intention of an actor, or the significance of an event.
Definition/Signification
To have a specific meaning or to represent a concept.
“The red light means you must stop.”
“What does 'ubiquitous' mean?”
Intention
To intend to do something or to have a purpose.
“I meant to call you, but I forgot.”
“She didn't mean to be rude.”
Importance/Value
To have importance or value to someone.
“This ring means a lot to me.”
“Your support means everything.”
Result/Consequence
To result in or involve something as a necessary part.
“Lowering prices means less profit.”
“The new job means moving to London.”
Reference Table
| Bedeutung | Struktur | Beispiel | Kontext |
|---|---|---|---|
|
To signify/define
|
`mean` + Noun/Clause
|
What does 'DIY' `mean`?
|
Begriffe klären
|
|
To intend/plan
|
`mean to` + Verb
|
I `mean to finish` work early.
|
Absicht ausdrücken
|
|
To result in/involve
|
`mean` + V-ing/Noun
|
Being late `means missing` the train.
|
Konsequenzen
|
|
To be important to
|
`mean` + Noun + `to` + Person
|
You `mean a lot to` me.
|
Wert ausdrücken
|
|
To be serious
|
`mean it`
|
I `mean it`!
|
Wahrheit betonen
|
|
Past intention
|
`meant to` + Verb
|
He `meant to call` you.
|
Unerfüllte Pläne
|
Formalitätsspektrum
Could you please elaborate on what you mean by 'restructuring'? (Workplace)
What do you mean by 'restructuring'? (Workplace)
What do you mean, 'restructuring'? (Workplace)
WDYM restructuring? (Workplace)
Die vielen Bedeutungen von 'Mean'
Bedeuten/Definieren
- What does this word mean? Definition suchen
- Red light means stop. Symbolische Bedeutung
Beabsichtigen/Planen
- I mean to call you. Zielgerichtete Handlung
- She didn't mean any harm. Fehlende böse Absicht
Resultieren/Involvieren
- Promotion means more work. Konsequenz
- Being late means missing class. Implikation
Wichtigkeit/Wert
- You mean a lot to me. Persönliche Bedeutung
- This opportunity means everything. Hoher Wert
'Mean to' vs. 'Mean -ing'
Die richtige 'Mean'-Verwendung wählen
Sprichst du über einen Zweck oder Plan?
Frägst du nach einer Definition oder erklärst du, was etwas bedeutet?
Diskutierst du ein Ergebnis oder eine Konsequenz einer Handlung?
Wichtige Phrasen mit 'Mean'
Klärung
- • What do you mean?
- • What do you mean by that?
Ernsthaftigkeit
- • I mean it.
- • She means business.
Wichtigkeit
- • It means a lot.
- • You mean the world to me.
Entschuldigung
- • I didn't mean to...
- • He means no harm.
Beispiele nach Niveau
What does this word mean?
What is the definition of this word?
Red means stop.
The color red signifies stopping.
You mean a lot to me.
You are very important to me.
Does this mean yes?
Is this a 'yes'?
I didn't mean to hurt you.
It was not my intention to cause you pain.
He meant to call yesterday.
He intended to call but didn't.
What did she mean by that?
What was her intention with those words?
I meant the other one.
I was referring to the different one.
What do you mean by 'expensive'?
How do you define 'expensive' in this case?
Working here means traveling a lot.
This job involves frequent travel.
I've been meaning to ask you something.
I have intended to ask you for a while.
That's not what I meant at all.
My intention was completely different.
The failure of the pump meant that the whole system crashed.
The pump failure resulted in a system crash.
I didn't mean for this to happen.
I did not intend for this situation to occur.
Do you mean to tell me you lost the keys?
Are you seriously saying you lost them?
By no means is this an easy task.
This is definitely not an easy task.
The gesture was meant as a peace offering.
The intention of the gesture was peace.
I mean, it’s not that I don’t like him, but he’s difficult.
Let me clarify: I like him, but he is hard to work with.
What is meant by 'justice' varies across cultures.
The definition of justice is culturally dependent.
He is a man of considerable means.
He is a very wealthy man.
The end justifies the means.
The result is so important that any method is okay.
It was no mean feat to complete the marathon in under three hours.
It was a very impressive achievement.
The poem's imagery is meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
The purpose of the imagery is to create nostalgia.
I mean to say, the implications are staggering.
What I am trying to express is that the results are shocking.
Leicht verwechselbar
Both express purpose, but 'intend' is much more formal.
Learners use the noun when they need the verb.
The same word has totally different meanings.
Häufige Fehler
What means this word?
What does this word mean?
This word is meaning apple.
This word means apple.
It mean a lot.
It means a lot.
What mean 'hello'?
What does 'hello' mean?
I meant call you.
I meant to call you.
I didn't meant it.
I didn't mean it.
He is mean to go.
He means to go.
What do you mean with that?
What do you mean by that?
I've been meaning asking you.
I've been meaning to ask you.
This means to work harder.
This means working harder.
The end justifies the mean.
The end justifies the means.
Satzmuster
What does ___ mean?
I didn't mean to ___.
What do you mean by ___?
___ means ___ing.
Real World Usage
WDYM you can't come tonight?
I mean to contribute to the growth of this company.
What do you mean by 'non-refundable'?
You mean the world to me.
Does this word mean the same as 'big'?
The term 'User' shall mean any person accessing the site.
Kontext ist König!
I mean to call you(Absicht) vs.
What does this mean?(Definition).
Verwechsle 'mean' nicht mit 'want'!
I mean a coffee– das klingt komisch, sag lieber:
I want a coffee.
Meistere 'Mean to' vs 'Mean -ing'!
I meant to call you). 'Mean + -ing Verb' ist für Konsequenzen (z.B.
Being late means missing the show). Diese Unterscheidung ist super wichtig, damit du richtig flüssig klingst!
Der Ton macht die Musik bei 'What Do You Mean?'
What do you mean?schnell aggressiv klingen, wenn dein Ton nicht freundlich ist. Versuch immer, ihn etwas abzumildern, zum Beispiel mit
Could you explain what you mean?oder "Sorry, I don't understand, what do you mean?" – besonders in formellen Situationen wie Bewerbungsgesprächen.
Smart Tips
Use 'I didn't mean to' followed by the action. It sounds much more sincere than just saying 'Sorry'.
Don't just say 'What?'. Say 'What does [word] mean?'. It's the hallmark of a proactive learner.
Use 'What do you mean by that?' to pause and get a better explanation.
Use 'mean + -ing' to list the responsibilities. It sounds very professional.
Aussprache
Mean vs Meant
The present tense 'mean' has a long /iː/ sound. The past tense 'meant' changes to a short /e/ sound.
Meaning
The 'ng' at the end is a soft nasal sound, not a hard 'g'.
Clarification Question
What do you mean by ↗THAT?
Rising intonation on the last word shows genuine curiosity or surprise.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Mean what you say, and say what you mean! Use 'to' for plans and 'by' for the way.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a dictionary with a heart inside it. The dictionary represents the 'definition' sense, and the heart represents the 'intention' and 'importance' senses.
Rhyme
If you mean to do it, you have a plan. If you mean by it, explain if you can!
Story
A student named Mark didn't 'mean to' spill coffee on a dictionary. He asked the teacher, 'What does 'clumsy' mean?' The teacher said, 'It means you, Mark!' Mark laughed because the teacher 'meant it' as a joke.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write three sentences: one about what a word in your native language means in English, one about something you meant to do today but didn't, and one about what your favorite hobby means to you.
Kulturelle Hinweise
In the UK, 'mean' is very commonly used to mean 'stingy' or 'not generous with money'.
In the US, 'mean' often refers to someone who is 'unfriendly' or 'cruel' in their behavior.
In mathematics and statistics globally, 'mean' refers to the average of a set of numbers.
Derived from the Old English 'mænan', which meant 'to tell, say, or complain'.
Gesprächseinstiege
What does 'success' mean to you?
Have you ever said something and then had to say 'I didn't mean it'?
What do you mean to do after you finish your English course?
If you could change one thing about your city, what would it mean for the people living there?
Tagebuch-Impulse
Häufige Fehler
Test Yourself
I didn't ___ to hurt your feelings.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesWhat ___ 'ubiquitous' mean?
What do you mean ___ that comment?
Find and fix the mistake:
I didn't meant to break your phone.
It was my intention to help you.
A: We need to talk. B: What do you ___?
1. I mean to go. 2. It means a lot. 3. What does it mean?
mean / what / by / do / you / 'soon' / ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesWhat does 'ubiquitous' ___?
She mean to finish her assignment today.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Lo siento, no quise ofenderte.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the phrases with their primary meaning:
They ___ to meet us at the cafe, but got stuck in traffic.
Having a pet dog means to walk it every day.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella no quiso ser grosera.'
Arrange these words into a question:
Match the tense with the correct form of 'mean':
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, 'mean' can be an adjective (meaning cruel or stingy) or a noun (meaning the average in math). However, at B1, you mostly use it as a verb.
Yes, that is perfectly correct. It uses the noun `meaning` instead of the verb `mean`. It is slightly more formal.
We use `mean to` for our own intentions. We use `mean for` when we intend something for someone else, e.g., 'I meant for you to have this.'
It is an irregular verb. Many English verbs change their vowel sound in the past tense (like 'keep/kept' or 'sleep/slept').
Not necessarily. It's a natural filler, but if you say it every three words, it can be distracting. Use it to clarify your thoughts.
Yes, especially in the phrase `be meant to`. For example, 'You are meant to be here at 8:00' (meaning you are supposed to be here).
Usually, yes. You mean *something* or you mean *to do something*. The only exception is the idiomatic 'I mean it!'
It is an idiom meaning a very difficult and impressive achievement.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
significar / querer decir
English uses one verb ('mean') where Spanish often switches between two.
signifier / vouloir dire
French 'vouloir dire' literally translates to 'to want to say'.
bedeuten / meinen
German strictly separates 'bedeuten' (objects) from 'meinen' (people).
意味する (imi suru) / つもり (tsumori)
Japanese uses completely different words for definition vs. intention.
يعني (ya'ni)
Arabic 'ya'ni' is used even more frequently as a discourse marker than English 'I mean'.
意思是 (yìsi shì) / 打算 (dǎsuàn)
Chinese requires a noun ('meaning') to express what a word 'means'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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