En 15 segundos
- Know facts and information.
- Use for data, answers, how-tos.
- Don't use for personal familiarity.
- Distinguish from `kennen` (to know personally).
Significado
Esta es tu palabra de referencia para hechos o información que tienes almacenada en tu cerebro. Úsala cuando quieras decir que sabes la respuesta a una pregunta o un dato específico. Se trata de tener conocimiento, como saber el nombre de alguien o la capital de Francia. ¡Piensa en ello como acceder al disco duro de tu mente!
Ejemplos clave
3 de 12Texting a friend
Hey, weißt du, wann der Zug abfährt?
Hey, do you know when the train leaves?
At a café
Ich weiß nicht, was ich bestellen soll.
I don't know what I should order.
Job interview
Ich weiß, dass dieses Projekt eine Herausforderung sein wird, aber ich bin bereit.
I know that this project will be a challenge, but I am ready.
Contexto cultural
Germans value 'Allgemeinbildung' (general knowledge). It is common for social conversations to involve sharing facts about history, politics, or science. In Swiss German, 'wissen' is often replaced by 'wüsse'. The cultural value of precision and 'knowing your stuff' is even more pronounced in professional settings. Austrians might use 'wissen' in a more polite, indirect way. 'Schau'n wir mal' (Let's see) is often used when one doesn't 'wissen' something but wants to remain charming. The word 'Wissenschaft' (Science) literally means 'Knowledge-making'. This shows that in German thought, science is the active process of creating 'Wissen'.
The 'Ich weiß' Trap
Don't add an 'e' to 'ich weiß'. It's a common mistake because most verbs end in 'e' for 'ich'.
The 'Dass' Connection
If you are about to say a full sentence after 'know', you almost always need 'wissen' + 'dass'.
En 15 segundos
- Know facts and information.
- Use for data, answers, how-tos.
- Don't use for personal familiarity.
- Distinguish from `kennen` (to know personally).
What It Means
Wissen is all about knowing facts, information, or how to do something. It’s the knowledge you’ve acquired and can recall. Think of it as having data stored in your brain’s filing cabinet. It’s not about feelings or opinions; it’s about objective truths or learned skills. You wissen something when it’s a piece of information you possess.
How To Use It
Use wissen when you have specific information. You know a name? Ich weiß seinen Namen. (I know his name.) You know a fact? Ich weiß, dass Berlin die Hauptstadt ist. (I know that Berlin is the capital.) You know how something works? Ich weiß, wie das geht. (I know how that works.) It's super versatile for any kind of factual knowledge. Just remember, it’s about *what* you know.
Real-Life Examples
- Your friend asks, 'Do you know where the nearest train station is?' You reply, 'Ja, ich weiß, es ist gleich um die Ecke!' (Yes, I know, it's just around the corner!)
- You're watching a documentary and say, 'Ich wusste nicht, dass Elefanten so schlau sind!' (I didn't know elephants were so smart!)
- In a job interview, you might say, 'Ich weiß, wie man diese Software benutzt.' (I know how to use this software.)
- Texting your group chat: 'Weiß jemand, wann der Film anfängt?' (Does anyone know when the movie starts?)
When To Use It
Use wissen for factual recall. Did you learn something in school? Ich weiß die Antwort. (I know the answer.) Do you have information someone needs? Ich weiß es nicht. (I don't know.) It covers knowing people, places, dates, times, and how-tos. If it’s a piece of data you can access, wissen is likely your word. It’s the default for knowing stuff!
When NOT To Use It
Don't use wissen for knowing people *personally* (that's kennen). You don't wissen your best friend; you kennen them. Also, avoid it for having an opinion or feeling. You don't wissen that pizza is delicious; you *think* or *feel* it is. Stick to facts and information. Wissen is for your brain's encyclopedia, not your heart's diary.
Common Mistakes
- ✗ Ich weiß deinen Bruder. → ✓ Ich kenne deinen Bruder. (You don't *know* your brother as a fact; you know him *personally*.)
- ✗ Ich weiß, dass du schön bist. → ✓ Ich finde, dass du schön bist. OR Ich weiß, dass du schön *bist* (if you're stating it as a known fact, which is rare for opinions!). Usually, you mean you *think* or *find* them beautiful.
- ✗ Weißt du Musik? → ✓ Kannst du Musik spielen? OR Hörst du gerne Musik? (You don't *know* music like a fact; you might *play* it or *listen* to it.)
Similar Expressions
Kennen: This is for knowing people, places, or things *personally*. Youkennena person, a city, or a book. It implies familiarity.Verstehen: Means 'to understand'. You mightwissen*that* something is true, butverstehen*why* it's true.Können: Means 'can' or 'to be able to'. Youkönnenswim, but youwissen, for example, the swimming rules.
Common Variations
Ich weiß nicht: The classic 'I don't know'. Super useful!Ich weiß Bescheid: Means 'I'm informed' or 'I know what's up'. Often used when you've received information.Wovon weißt du?: 'What do you know about that?'Zu wissen: 'To know' as an infinitive, often used in phrases like 'Es ist gut zu wissen' (It's good to know).
Memory Trick
Imagine a wise old owl wearing glasses. This owl has all the facts stored in its brain. When you need to recall information, you consult the wise owl. So, wissen = knowing facts, like a wise owl! It's a bit cheesy, but it works!
Quick FAQ
Q. Is wissen used for knowing how to do something?
A. Yes! You wissen, for example, how to ride a bike. It's about possessing that skill or knowledge.
Q. Can wissen be used for opinions?
A. Generally no. Opinions are usually expressed with glauben (to believe) or finden (to find/think). Wissen is for objective facts. Don't mix them up, or you might sound like you're stating your opinions as universal truths!
Q. What's the difference between wissen and kennen?
A. Wissen is for facts and information (knowing *that*). Kennen is for familiarity with people, places, or things (knowing *someone/something*). You wissen your friend's birthday, but you kennen your friend.
Notas de uso
The verb `wissen` is fundamental for expressing knowledge of facts and information. While neutral in formality, always distinguish it from `kennen`, which is used for personal familiarity. Misusing these can lead to misunderstandings, especially when discussing people or places.
The 'Ich weiß' Trap
Don't add an 'e' to 'ich weiß'. It's a common mistake because most verbs end in 'e' for 'ich'.
The 'Dass' Connection
If you are about to say a full sentence after 'know', you almost always need 'wissen' + 'dass'.
Admitting Ignorance
Saying 'Ich weiß es nicht' is respected in Germany. It shows you are honest about your facts.
Ejemplos
12Hey, weißt du, wann der Zug abfährt?
Hey, do you know when the train leaves?
Asking for specific timetable information.
Ich weiß nicht, was ich bestellen soll.
I don't know what I should order.
Expressing indecision based on lack of information.
Ich weiß, dass dieses Projekt eine Herausforderung sein wird, aber ich bin bereit.
I know that this project will be a challenge, but I am ready.
Acknowledging a known fact about the job.
Ich wusste nicht, dass dieser Ort so schön ist! 😍
I didn't know this place was so beautiful! 😍
Expressing surprise at a newly discovered fact.
Ich weiß die Antwort auf diese Frage!
I know the answer to this question!
Stating knowledge of a specific answer.
Ich weiß, wie man einen Computer repariert.
I know how to repair a computer.
Indicating knowledge of a process or skill.
✗ Ich weiß ihn sehr gut. → ✓ Ich kenne ihn sehr gut.
✗ I know him very well. → ✓ I know him very well.
Using `wissen` for personal acquaintance is incorrect; `kennen` is needed.
✗ Ich weiß, dass Schokolade am besten ist. → ✓ Ich finde, dass Schokolade am besten ist.
✗ I know that chocolate is the best. → ✓ I think that chocolate is the best.
Opinions require verbs like `finden` or `glauben`, not `wissen`.
Ich weiß, dass ich zu viel Kaffee getrunken habe.
I know that I drank too much coffee.
Self-aware statement about a known fact (perhaps a slight regret).
Ich weiß, dass du das schaffen kannst!
I know that you can do this!
Expressing belief in someone's ability based on known strengths.
Ich wusste nicht, dass die Aussicht von hier so unglaublich ist!
I didn't know the view from here is so incredible!
Expressing surprise and discovery during travel.
Weißt du, ob dieses T-Shirt in Größe L verfügbar ist?
Do you know if this t-shirt is available in size L?
Asking for specific product information.
Ponte a prueba
Choose between 'wissen' and 'kennen' in the correct form.
Ich _______ den Weg zum Bahnhof.
A 'Weg' (path/way) is a place/route you are familiar with, so 'kenne' is the most natural choice, though 'weiß' could be used if referring to the specific data of the address.
Fill in the correct present tense form of 'wissen'.
_______ du, wie spät es ist?
The second person singular of 'wissen' is 'weißt'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of 'wissen'.
A: Wo ist mein Schlüssel? B: Ich ______ es nicht.
The speaker is talking about themselves (ich) in the present tense.
Match the sentence to the situation.
1. Ich weiß Bescheid. 2. Ich weiß die Antwort. 3. Ich weiß es nicht.
'Bescheid wissen' is for being informed; 'Antwort wissen' is for facts; 'nicht wissen' is for ignorance.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Wissen vs. Kennen
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIch _______ den Weg zum Bahnhof.
A 'Weg' (path/way) is a place/route you are familiar with, so 'kenne' is the most natural choice, though 'weiß' could be used if referring to the specific data of the address.
_______ du, wie spät es ist?
The second person singular of 'wissen' is 'weißt'.
A: Wo ist mein Schlüssel? B: Ich ______ es nicht.
The speaker is talking about themselves (ich) in the present tense.
1. Ich weiß Bescheid. 2. Ich weiß die Antwort. 3. Ich weiß es nicht.
'Bescheid wissen' is for being informed; 'Antwort wissen' is for facts; 'nicht wissen' is for ignorance.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Tutoriales en video
Encuentra tutoriales en video sobre esta expresión en YouTube.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, use 'können'. 'Ich kann Deutsch' means you can speak it. 'Ich weiß Deutsch' sounds like you know the word for 'German'.
It's an old irregular verb group called preterite-presents. They have unique forms in the singular.
'Wissen' is for a specific fact. 'Bescheid wissen' means you are generally informed about a situation.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Use the verb 'erfahren'. For example: 'Ich habe es gestern erfahren.'
Yes! 'Ich weiß den Weg' or 'Ich weiß, wo das ist' are very common.
Yes, it is an uncountable noun in German.
It's a 'know-it-all'. Someone who constantly corrects others with their 'Wissen'.
No! Never. Use 'Ich kenne dich'.
No, it takes the accusative. 'Ich weiß {den|m} Grund.'
Frases relacionadas
Bescheid wissen
specialized formTo be informed/in the loop
kennen
contrastTo know (familiarity)
erfahren
builds onTo find out / to learn
glauben
contrastTo believe
verstehen
similarTo understand
