En 15 segundos
- Used for texting, emailing, or sending direct messages to others.
- Requires the dative case for the person receiving the message.
- Perfect for both casual social updates and professional office communication.
Significado
This is the most common way to say you are sending someone a text, an email, or a DM. It is the digital equivalent of tapping someone on the shoulder to say 'hey' through your phone.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Texting a friend about arrival time
Ich schicke dir eine Nachricht, wenn ich am Bahnhof bin.
I'll send you a message when I'm at the station.
Asking a colleague for info
Kannst du mir bitte eine Nachricht mit der Adresse schicken?
Can you please send me a message with the address?
Formal business follow-up
Ich schicke Ihnen eine Nachricht, sobald das Dokument fertig ist.
I will send you a message as soon as the document is ready.
Contexto cultural
Germans value their privacy but are very active on WhatsApp. It is common to send a 'Nachricht' to ask if someone has time for a call before actually calling them. In German offices, 'eine Nachricht schicken' via Slack or Teams is replacing short internal emails. However, for official records, a formal email is still preferred. Younger Germans often use 'schreiben' (to write) as a synonym for 'eine Nachricht schicken'. If someone says 'Wir schreiben!', they mean 'We'll keep in touch via text'. Sending voice messages (Sprachnachrichten) is extremely popular in Germany, sometimes more than typing. It is still referred to as 'eine Nachricht schicken'.
Use 'schreiben' for friends
While 'eine Nachricht schicken' is perfect, saying 'Ich schreib dir' is the most native-sounding way to say 'I'll text you'.
Don't forget the Dative
Always remember: Ich schicke DIR (not DICH) eine Nachricht. Using the wrong case is a very common beginner mistake.
En 15 segundos
- Used for texting, emailing, or sending direct messages to others.
- Requires the dative case for the person receiving the message.
- Perfect for both casual social updates and professional office communication.
What It Means
Eine Nachricht schicken is your go-to phrase for all things digital communication. Whether you are using WhatsApp, Slack, or old-school SMS, this phrase covers it. It literally means "to send a message." It is simple, direct, and used by everyone from teenagers to grandmas.
How To Use It
You will usually use the dative case for the person receiving the message. For example, Ich schicke dir eine Nachricht. Here, dir is the person getting the text. If you are being formal, use Ihnen. The verb schicken goes at the end if you use a modal verb like kann. "Ich kann dir eine Nachricht schicken." It is like building a little digital bridge between two people.
When To Use It
Use this phrase whenever you aren't calling someone. Use it when you are running late for coffee. Use it to send a funny meme to your best friend. In the office, use it when you're sending a quick update to your boss. It is perfect for those moments when a phone call feels like too much work. We have all been there, right?
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for physical objects like a birthday present. For a package, you just say ein Paket schicken. Also, if you are writing a long, heartfelt letter by hand, einen Brief schreiben sounds much more romantic. Eine Nachricht schicken feels fast and electronic. If you are shouting across a room, this phrase definitely doesn't fit.
Cultural Background
Germans are obsessed with WhatsApp. It is the king of communication in Germany. While some cultures prefer calling, many Germans find a quick message more respectful of their time. It is efficient and leaves a paper trail. Interestingly, even in formal business settings, "sending a message" via LinkedIn or Slack has become totally standard. It reflects the modern, fast-paced German work culture.
Common Variations
You might also hear eine Nachricht senden. Senden sounds a bit more technical or formal, like a button on a computer. You will also hear jemandem simsen, which specifically means sending an SMS. However, schicken remains the most natural, everyday choice. It feels warm and active. It is the bread and butter of German social life.
Notas de uso
This is a highly versatile, neutral collocation. It fits perfectly in 95% of communication scenarios in Germany, from casual chats to office emails.
Use 'schreiben' for friends
While 'eine Nachricht schicken' is perfect, saying 'Ich schreib dir' is the most native-sounding way to say 'I'll text you'.
Don't forget the Dative
Always remember: Ich schicke DIR (not DICH) eine Nachricht. Using the wrong case is a very common beginner mistake.
Voice messages are king
Don't be surprised if you receive a 3-minute voice message instead of a text. Germans love 'Sprachnachrichten'.
Ejemplos
6Ich schicke dir eine Nachricht, wenn ich am Bahnhof bin.
I'll send you a message when I'm at the station.
A classic way to coordinate meeting up.
Kannst du mir bitte eine Nachricht mit der Adresse schicken?
Can you please send me a message with the address?
Using 'mir' (dative) for the recipient.
Ich schicke Ihnen eine Nachricht, sobald das Dokument fertig ist.
I will send you a message as soon as the document is ready.
Using 'Ihnen' makes this professional and polite.
Ich wollte dir nur eine kurze Nachricht schicken und 'Hallo' sagen.
I just wanted to send you a quick message and say 'Hello'.
Soft and friendly for starting a conversation.
Mein Hund hat mir versehentlich eine Nachricht geschickt!
My dog accidentally sent me a message!
Using the past tense 'geschickt'.
Schick mir einfach eine Nachricht auf WhatsApp.
Just send me a message on WhatsApp.
The most common platform-specific usage.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form (Perfekt).
Ich habe dir gestern eine {die|f} Nachricht ______.
The past participle of 'schicken' is 'geschickt'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct option:
The recipient must be in the Dative case ('dir').
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kannst du mir die Adresse geben? B: Ja, ich ______ dir eine {die|f} Nachricht.
'Schicken' is the standard verb for sending digital information.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a meeting and can't talk on the phone.
Messaging is the appropriate silent communication method.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIch habe dir gestern eine {die|f} Nachricht ______.
The past participle of 'schicken' is 'geschickt'.
Select the correct option:
The recipient must be in the Dative case ('dir').
A: Kannst du mir die Adresse geben? B: Ja, ich ______ dir eine {die|f} Nachricht.
'Schicken' is the standard verb for sending digital information.
You are in a meeting and can't talk on the phone.
Messaging is the appropriate silent communication method.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, but 'senden' sounds more formal or technical. Use 'schicken' in everyday conversation.
In modern daily life, yes. But it can also mean 'the news' on TV or a formal notification.
You can say 'Ich schicke dir eine DM' or 'Ich schicke dir eine Privatnachricht'.
It is 'eine Nachricht' because the noun is feminine ({die|f}).
It is a voice message. You 'schickst' a Sprachnachricht just like a text message.
No, that is a literal translation from English and sounds very wrong in German.
You say 'Ich habe deine Nachricht bekommen' or 'erhalten' (more formal).
Yes, but 'E-Mail' is more specific. You can say 'Ich habe Ihnen eine Nachricht geschickt' to refer to an email you sent.
It means 'message deleted'. You see this in WhatsApp when someone deletes a message they sent.
You say 'auf eine Nachricht antworten'. Note that 'antworten' takes the preposition 'auf'.
Frases relacionadas
jemandem Bescheid sagen
similarto let someone know
eine {die|f} Nachricht hinterlassen
specialized formto leave a message
eine {die|f} E-Mail schreiben
specialized formto write an email
jemanden kontaktieren
synonymto contact someone
