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A1 verb #700 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

meinen

Top 700

At the A1 level, 'meinen' is primarily used to express a simple opinion or to ask for one. It is one of the first verbs you learn to help you participate in basic conversations. You will use it in simple sentences like 'Ich meine, ja' (I think so) or 'Was meinst du?' (What do you think?). At this stage, the focus is on the present tense conjugation (ich meine, du meinst, er/sie/es meint, etc.) and understanding that it doesn't mean 'definition' (which is 'bedeuten'). You use it to show that you have a thought or a preference. It's a very friendly, accessible verb that helps you engage with others by asking for their input. You might also see it in the context of identifying a person: 'Meinst du mich?' (Do you mean me?). This is essential for basic social navigation.

At the A2 level, you start using 'meinen' with simple subordinate clauses, though often without the formal 'dass' structure yet. You might say 'Ich meine, das ist teuer' (I think that is expensive). You also begin to learn the past tense 'hat gemeint' to report what someone else said in a conversation. You'll encounter the phrase 'es gut meinen' (to mean well) and start to understand how 'meinen' can describe someone's intentions. This level focuses on expanding the context from just 'me' to 'others'. You'll learn to ask 'Wie meinst du das?' to clarify what someone said, which is a vital tool for keeping a conversation going when your vocabulary is still growing. You also learn to distinguish it more clearly from 'denken' and 'glauben'.

At the B1 level, you master the 'dass' clause with 'meinen'. You learn that the verb goes to the end: 'Ich meine, dass wir mehr Umweltschutz brauchen.' You also use 'meinen' to refer to specific things in the accusative case more confidently: 'Ich meine den Film, den wir gestern gesehen haben.' This level introduces more idiomatic uses, such as 'es ernst meinen' (to be serious). You start to see 'meinen' used in newspapers to report opinions. You also learn the difference between 'meinen' and 'bedeuten' in more complex sentences, ensuring you don't use 'meinen' for abstract concepts. You are now able to use the verb to participate in discussions about more abstract topics like work, hobbies, and social issues.

At the B2 level, 'meinen' becomes a tool for nuance. You use it to express subtle differences in intent. You learn phrases like 'Das ist nicht so gemeint' to smooth over social misunderstandings. You also encounter the noun 'Meinung' (opinion) and see how the verb and noun work together. You might use 'meinen' in the Konjunktiv II to express a hypothetical opinion: 'Ich würde meinen, dass...' (I would think that...). This level also introduces the use of 'meinen' in more formal debates where you might say 'Damit meine ich...' to define your terms during a presentation. You understand the register differences between 'meinen', 'behaupten' (to claim), and 'erklären' (to explain).

At the C1 level, you use 'meinen' in sophisticated argumentative contexts. You can distinguish between 'meinen' as a subjective opinion and 'meinen' as a philosophical reference. You might encounter the verb in academic texts where it refers to the 'intended meaning' of an author or a historical figure. You use it to analyze texts: 'Was meint der Autor mit dieser Metapher?' (What does the author mean by this metaphor?). You also master complex idiomatic expressions and can use 'meinen' to express irony or sarcasm. Your use of the verb is now fluid, and you can switch between its various meanings (opinion, intent, reference) without hesitation, even in high-pressure speaking situations like university seminars or professional negotiations.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'meinen'. You understand its use in classical literature and archaic contexts. You can use it to discuss the 'Vermeintlichkeit' (supposedness) of a situation. You are aware of regional variations in its use and can detect the subtle emotional undertones when a speaker uses 'meinen' instead of 'sagen' or 'finden'. You can use the verb to engage in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of meaning itself. You are also proficient in using 'meinen' in legal or highly technical contexts where the 'intent of the law' (der Wille des Gesetzgebers) is discussed. At this level, 'meinen' is no longer just a word; it is a versatile instrument for precise and expressive communication.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

meinen en 30 secondes

Meinen is used for opinions ('I think') and human intent ('I mean you').
Never use it for word definitions; use 'bedeuten' for that purpose.
It is a weak verb: meinen, meinte, hat gemeint.
Common in phrases like 'es ernst meinen' (to be serious) and 'Wie meinst du das?'.

The German verb meinen is a cornerstone of daily communication, yet it presents a unique challenge for English speakers because it straddles the line between two distinct English concepts: 'to mean' and 'to think/opine'. At its core, meinen is used to express a subjective viewpoint, an intention, or a reference to a specific person or thing. Unlike the English word 'mean', which is often used for definitions (e.g., 'This word means...'), German uses bedeuten for definitions and reserves meinen for human intent and opinion. Understanding this distinction is the first step toward fluency.

Opinion & Subjectivity: When you want to say 'I think that...' or 'In my opinion...', meinen is your go-to verb. It suggests a personal stance rather than a hard fact. For example, 'Ich meine, wir sollten gehen' translates to 'I think we should go'.

Was meinst du dazu? (What do you think about that?)

Intent & Seriousness: It is frequently used to describe the sincerity of an action. Phrases like 'es ernst meinen' (to be serious about something) or 'es gut meinen' (to mean well) are ubiquitous in German social dynamics.

Ich meine dich, nicht ihn! (I mean you, not him!)

In social contexts, meinen serves as a softening agent. Instead of stating a fact aggressively, using meinen signals that you are offering an interpretation. This is crucial in German culture, where directness is valued but distinguishing between fact and opinion is grammatically encoded. You will hear it in political debates, casual coffee chats, and even in arguments where someone clarifies their intention. It is a versatile tool for navigating the nuances of human interaction, allowing speakers to clarify who or what they are referring to without ambiguity.

Das habe ich nicht so gemeint. (I didn't mean it that way.)

Reference & Identification: When pointing someone out or clarifying a subject, meinen identifies the target of the thought. 'Wen meinst du?' (Who do you mean?) is the standard way to ask for clarification in a group setting.

Er meint es nur gut mit dir. (He only means well with you.)

Ultimately, meinen is about the human element of meaning. It captures the 'why' and the 'who' behind a statement. Whether you are expressing a hesitant opinion or clarifying a misunderstanding, this verb provides the necessary linguistic framework to bridge the gap between internal thought and external expression. It is one of the first verbs an A1 student learns, but its nuanced uses in B2 and C1 contexts—such as in philosophical discourse or legal interpretations of intent—show its lasting importance in the German language journey.

Using meinen correctly requires understanding its three primary syntactic structures: direct objects, 'dass' clauses, and prepositional phrases. Because it is a transitive verb, it often takes an accusative object when you are referring to a person or a specific thing. For example, 'Ich meine den blauen Stuhl' (I mean the blue chair). Here, the chair is the direct object of your reference.

The 'Dass' Clause (Opinions): To express an opinion, meinen is frequently followed by a 'dass' clause. Note that the conjugated verb moves to the end of the 'dass' clause. 'Ich meine, dass das Wetter heute schön ist' (I think/opine that the weather is nice today).

Sie meinte, wir hätten noch Zeit. (She thought we still had time.)

Prepositional Usage: When asking for an opinion on a specific topic, use the preposition zu. 'Was meinst du zum neuen Plan?' (What do you think about the new plan?). This is a very common conversational pattern.

Wen meinen Sie damit? (Who do you mean by that?)

Another important construction is the use of adverbs to modify the intent. 'Es ernst meinen' (to mean it seriously) and 'es ehrlich meinen' (to mean it honestly) are fixed expressions. In these cases, 'es' acts as a dummy object representing the situation or the statement being made. 'Ich meine es ernst!' is a powerful way to tell someone you aren't joking.

Indirect Speech: In journalism or formal writing, meinen is used to report what someone said without using a direct quote. 'Der Minister meinte, die Steuern müssten sinken.' (The minister opined that taxes must fall.)

Wie meinst du das genau? (How exactly do you mean that?)

When you want to clarify a previous statement that was misunderstood, you use the perfect tense: 'Das habe ich nicht so gemeint.' This is the standard apology for a slip of the tongue or a misinterpreted joke. The placement of 'so' is key here, as it refers to the manner in which the statement was intended. Mastery of meinen allows you to navigate the complexities of German social etiquette, ensuring your intentions are always clear.

In the wild, meinen is everywhere. From the bustling streets of Berlin to the quiet offices of Munich, you will hear it used to negotiate reality. In a German 'WG' (shared apartment), you might hear roommates arguing over chores: 'Ich meine, du warst letzte Woche dran!' (I think it was your turn last week!). Here, it’s used to assert a memory or an opinion about a shared responsibility.

Talk Shows and Debates: If you watch German television, especially political talk shows like 'Anne Will', you'll hear pundits say 'Ich meine damit...' to clarify their policy positions. It is the language of clarification and intellectual positioning.

Die Experten meinen, dass die Krise bald endet. (The experts think the crisis will end soon.)

In romantic contexts, the phrase 'Ich meine es ernst mit dir' (I'm serious about you) is a significant milestone. It moves the relationship from casual to committed. Conversely, in a workplace, a boss might say, 'Ich meine das Projekt, nicht die Präsentation,' to refocus a distracted employee. It acts as a linguistic pointer, directing the listener's attention to the correct object of discussion.

Das ist nicht böse gemeint. (That's not meant in a bad way / No offense.)

Customer Service: When a clerk asks, 'Meinen Sie diese Größe?' (Do you mean this size?), they are confirming your selection. It is the standard verb for identifying choices in a retail environment.

You'll also find meinen in literature and news headlines. It’s used to attribute quotes to people when the writer wants to emphasize that what follows is an opinion rather than an objective fact. For example, 'Der Autor meint, die Gesellschaft müsse sich ändern.' This subtle choice of verb tells the reader that this is the author's thesis or viewpoint. In summary, whether you are in a heated debate or a simple shopping trip, meinen is the tool Germans use to align their internal thoughts with the external world.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using meinen when they should use bedeuten. In English, 'mean' covers both 'What do you mean?' (intent) and 'What does this word mean?' (definition). In German, these are strictly separated. If you say 'Was meint dieses Wort?', you are personifying the word, asking what the word's opinion is. Always use bedeuten for definitions.

Meinen vs. Denken: Another pitfall is the confusion between meinen and denken. While both can translate to 'think', denken refers to the cognitive process of thought, whereas meinen refers to the resulting opinion. 'Ich denke an dich' (I'm thinking of you) vs. 'Ich meine, du hast recht' (I think/opine you are right).

Falsch: Was meint 'Apfel'?
Richtig: Was bedeutet 'Apfel'?

Grammatically, learners often forget that meinen is a transitive verb and requires an object or a clause. You cannot just say 'Ich meine' and stop, unless the context is incredibly clear. You need to say what you mean or what you think. Also, watch out for the 'gut meinen' construction. Learners often try to say 'Ich meine gut', but the correct idiomatic way is 'Ich meine es gut' (I mean well), where the 'es' is mandatory.

Confusion with 'Glauben': Glauben (to believe) is often used interchangeably with meinen in casual speech, but glauben implies a higher degree of uncertainty. If you say 'Ich meine...', you are stating your view. If you say 'Ich glaube...', you are suggesting you think so, but aren't 100% sure.

Ich meine es ernst! (I mean it seriously! - Don't forget the 'es'!)

Finally, be careful with the past tense. 'Ich habe gemeint' is the standard conversational past. Some learners try to use 'Ich meinte' (Präteritum) in spoken German, which can sound a bit overly formal or literary, though it is perfectly correct. In most daily interactions, stick to the Perfekt tense to sound more natural.

To truly master German, you need to know when to swap meinen for a more precise synonym. Depending on whether you are expressing an opinion, a belief, or an intention, several other verbs might be more appropriate. Expanding your vocabulary in this area will make your German sound much more sophisticated and nuanced.

Bedeuten (To Signify): As discussed, use this for definitions. 'Rot bedeutet Stopp.' (Red means stop.) It is for objective meanings and symbolic significance.
Finden (To Find/Think): When giving a subjective evaluation of something's quality, finden is very common. 'Ich finde den Film gut.' (I think/find the movie good.) It's more common than meinen for aesthetic or qualitative judgments.

Ich glaube, es wird regnen. (I believe/think it will rain.)

Glauben (To Believe): Use this when there is an element of doubt or when you are expressing a conviction. 'Ich glaube an dich' (I believe in you) or 'Ich glaube, er kommt später' (I think he's coming later).

Was beabsichtigen Sie damit? (What do you intend by that? - Formal alternative to 'meinen')

For formal intentions, beabsichtigen or vorhaben are excellent choices. 'Ich habe vor, morgen zu verreisen' (I intend to travel tomorrow). If you are referring to a specific person in a crowd, you might use anspielen auf (to allude to) if you are being indirect. 'Spielst du auf mein Gewicht an?' (Are you alluding to my weight?). Understanding these alternatives allows you to choose the exact 'flavor' of meaning you wish to convey, moving beyond the basic utility of meinen.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Neutre

Informel

Child friendly

Argot

Le savais-tu ?

While 'meinen' and 'mean' are cognates, their usage has diverged significantly. English 'mean' took on the role of defining things, while German 'meinen' stayed closer to the 'opinion/intent' root.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈmaɪnən/

US /ˈmaɪnən/

The stress is on the first syllable: MEI-nen.

Rime avec

weinen (to cry) scheinen (to shine) keinen (none) reinen (pure) deinen (yours) seinen (his) kleinen (small) steinen (stones)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ei' as 'ee' (like 'mean' in English). In German, 'ei' is always like 'eye'.
Over-emphasizing the final 'en'. It should be a soft, quick sound.
Confusing the 'm' with 'n' at the start.
Pronouncing it like the English word 'main'.
Forgetting the second 'n' in the middle.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize in texts as it appears frequently.

Écriture 3/5

Requires care to avoid confusion with 'bedeuten' and 'denken'.

Expression orale 2/5

Essential for basic conversation; conjugation is regular.

Écoute 2/5

Easy to hear, but watch for shortened forms like 'ich mein'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

ich du was gut nicht

Apprends ensuite

bedeuten glauben denken finden die Meinung

Avancé

beabsichtigen vermeintlich anspielen interpretieren

Grammaire à connaître

Weak Verb Conjugation

meinen, meinte, hat gemeint

Subordinate Clause Word Order

Ich meine, dass er RECHT HAT.

Accusative Case for Direct Objects

Ich meine DEN Lehrer.

Dative Case after 'zu'

Was meinst du ZU DEM Film?

Dummy 'es' in fixed expressions

Ich meine ES ernst.

Exemples par niveau

Was meinst du?

What do you think?

Standard question using the second person singular.

Ich meine, ja.

I think so.

Simple opinion statement.

Meinst du mich?

Do you mean me?

Using 'meinen' to refer to a person (accusative).

Er meint nein.

He thinks no / He says no.

Third person singular.

Meint ihr das?

Do you (plural) mean that?

Second person plural 'ihr'.

Ich meine das Buch.

I mean the book.

Direct object in the accusative.

Was meint er?

What does he think?

Asking for a third party's opinion.

Wir meinen das Gleiche.

We mean the same thing.

First person plural.

Wie meinst du das?

How do you mean that?

Standard clarification question.

Ich habe das nicht so gemeint.

I didn't mean it that way.

Perfect tense (hat gemeint).

Er meint, es ist zu spät.

He thinks it's too late.

Simple subordinate clause without 'dass'.

Meinst du das ernst?

Are you serious?

Idiomatic use with 'ernst'.

Sie meint es gut mit dir.

She means well with you.

Fixed expression 'es gut meinen'.

Was meint ihr zum Film?

What do you (plural) think about the movie?

Preposition 'zu' + Dative.

Ich meine den Mann dort.

I mean the man over there.

Accusative object.

Das meinte ich nicht.

That's not what I meant.

Präteritum (simple past).

Ich meine, dass wir jetzt gehen sollten.

I think that we should go now.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Wen meinst du mit 'wir'?

Who do you mean by 'we'?

Preposition 'mit' for clarification.

Er meinte, er hätte kein Geld dabei.

He said/thought he didn't have any money with him.

Indirect speech with Konjunktiv I/II.

Ich meine es wirklich ernst mit der Prüfung.

I'm really serious about the exam.

Adverbial modification 'wirklich ernst'.

Was meinst du zu diesem Vorschlag?

What do you think of this proposal?

Dative after 'zu'.

Sie meint, dass das Wetter besser wird.

She thinks that the weather is getting better.

Opinion about the future.

Das habe ich ehrlich so gemeint.

I honestly meant it that way.

Perfect tense with 'ehrlich'.

Meinen Sie den blauen oder den roten Wagen?

Do you mean the blue or the red car?

Formal 'Sie' and accusative objects.

Ich würde meinen, dass das Risiko zu hoch ist.

I would think that the risk is too high.

Konjunktiv II for a cautious opinion.

Damit meine ich vor allem die finanzielle Seite.

By that, I mean primarily the financial side.

Clarifying a specific aspect.

Es ist nicht böse gemeint, aber du störst.

It's not meant in a bad way, but you're disturbing.

Fixed expression 'nicht böse gemeint'.

Was meinst du, wie lange das dauert?

How long do you think that will take?

Interrogative clause embedded.

Er meint es nur gut, auch wenn es nervt.

He only means well, even if it's annoying.

Concessive clause with 'auch wenn'.

Ich meine ja nur, dass man vorsichtig sein sollte.

I'm just saying that one should be careful.

Particle 'ja nur' for softening.

Wen meinten Sie gerade mit Ihrer Bemerkung?

Who did you just mean with your remark?

Präteritum in a formal context.

Das ist genau das, was ich gemeint habe.

That is exactly what I meant.

Relative clause.

Der Autor meint hier wohl die politische Elite.

The author probably means the political elite here.

Interpretative use of 'meinen'.

Ich meine, wir sollten die ethischen Aspekte nicht vernachlässigen.

I think we should not neglect the ethical aspects.

Formal argumentative opinion.

Wie ist dieser Satz im Kontext zu meinen?

How is this sentence to be understood in context?

Passive-like 'sein + zu + Infinitiv' construction.

Man meinte allgemein, der Krieg sei bald vorbei.

It was generally thought that the war would soon be over.

Indefinite pronoun 'man' and Konjunktiv I.

Ich meine es todernst mit dieser Kündigung.

I am deadly serious about this resignation.

Strong adverb 'todernst'.

Damit ist nicht gemeint, dass alle zustimmen müssen.

That does not mean that everyone has to agree.

Passive construction.

Was meinst du, was er damit bezwecken will?

What do you think he wants to achieve with that?

Complex question structure.

Ich meine mich zu erinnern, dass er dort war.

I seem to remember that he was there.

Reflexive use with 'zu + Infinitiv'.

Es ist fraglich, was der Gesetzgeber damit meinte.

It is questionable what the legislator meant by that.

Legal/Academic interpretation.

Die vermeintliche Sicherheit, die er meinte, war trügerisch.

The supposed security he meant was deceptive.

Using 'meinen' with abstract concepts.

Ich meine, mich recht entsinnen zu können.

I believe I can remember correctly.

Highly formal/archaic phrasing.

Was meint uns die Geschichte in diesem Augenblick?

What does history mean to us at this moment?

Poetic/Philosophical personification.

Er meinte es wohl ironisch, doch niemand lachte.

He probably meant it ironically, but no one laughed.

Discussing tone and intent.

Dass du ihn meinst, war mir von vornherein klar.

That you meant him was clear to me from the start.

Subject clause starting with 'Dass'.

Man darf nicht meinen, dass dies die einzige Lösung sei.

One must not think that this is the only solution.

Formal warning/instruction.

Wie meinst du dich in dieser Angelegenheit zu positionieren?

How do you intend to position yourself in this matter?

Reflexive 'sich positionieren' with 'meinen'.

Collocations courantes

es ernst meinen

es gut meinen

ehrlich meinen

böse meinen

was meinst du?

damit meinen

jemanden meinen

anders meinen

allgemein meinen

todernst meinen

Phrases Courantes

Wie meinst du das?

Das meine ich auch.

Meinst du wirklich?

Ich meine ja nur.

Wenn du meinst.

Nicht so gemeint.

Was meinst du dazu?

Ich meine es nur gut.

Wen meinst du?

So habe ich das nicht gemeint.

Souvent confondu avec

meinen vs bedeuten

Bedeuten is for definitions; meinen is for opinions and intent.

meinen vs denken

Denken is the act of thinking; meinen is the opinion you hold.

meinen vs glauben

Glauben implies more uncertainty or religious belief than meinen.

Expressions idiomatiques

"es ehrlich mit jemandem meinen"

To have sincere intentions towards someone, especially in a relationship.

Er meint es ehrlich mit ihr.

neutral

"es gut meinen"

To have good intentions, even if the result is not positive.

Die Großmutter meint es gut, wenn sie so viel kocht.

neutral

"es ernst meinen"

To be serious about a plan, statement, or relationship.

Meinst du es ernst mit dem Umzug?

neutral

"nicht so gemeint sein"

To not be intended in the way it was perceived (usually negatively).

Das war doch nur ein Witz, es war nicht so gemeint.

informal

"meinen, die Weisheit mit Löffeln gefressen zu haben"

To think one is incredibly smart or knows everything (ironic/insulting).

Er meint wohl, er habe die Weisheit mit Löffeln gefressen.

informal/idiomatic

"es todernst meinen"

To be absolutely, 100% serious.

Ich meine es todernst: Hör auf damit!

neutral

"was meinst du, was..."

Used to introduce a surprising or impressive fact.

Was meinst du, was das gekostet hat!

informal

"gut gemeint ist das Gegenteil von gut gemacht"

A proverb meaning that good intentions don't excuse poor results.

Das Projekt ist gescheitert. Tja, gut gemeint ist das Gegenteil von gut gemacht.

proverbial

"jemanden/etwas meinen"

To refer to a specific person or thing.

Ich meine das rote Auto, nicht das blaue.

neutral

"meinen, etwas zu sein"

To have a high (often falsely high) opinion of oneself.

Er meint, er sei der Chef hier.

informal

Facile à confondre

meinen vs bedeuten

Both translate to 'mean' in English.

Bedeuten is for objective significance or definitions (e.g., words, signs). Meinen is for subjective intent or opinion (e.g., people).

Das Wort bedeutet 'Hund', aber ich meine den großen Hund dort.

meinen vs denken

Both can translate to 'think'.

Denken refers to the mental process. Meinen refers to the stance or opinion resulting from that process.

Ich denke nach, aber ich meine, wir sollten warten.

meinen vs glauben

Both express a thought or opinion.

Glauben suggests a guess or a lack of full knowledge. Meinen is more about stating one's viewpoint.

Ich glaube, er kommt, aber ich meine, er sollte zu Hause bleiben.

meinen vs sagen

In English, we say 'He means...' when reporting what someone said.

Sagen is the act of speaking. Meinen is the intent behind the words.

Er sagt 'Hallo', aber er meint 'Ich liebe dich'.

meinen vs finden

Both are used for opinions.

Finden is used for qualitative evaluations (good/bad/pretty). Meinen is for more general viewpoints or intentions.

Ich finde das Essen gut, aber ich meine, es ist zu teuer.

Structures de phrases

Was meinst du?

Ich meine [Substantiv].

Ich meine den Apfel.

Ich habe [etwas] nicht so gemeint.

Ich habe das nicht so gemeint.

Ich meine, dass [Nebensatz].

Ich meine, dass es regnet.

Was meinst du zu [Dativ]?

Was meinst du zum Plan?

Ich meine es ernst mit [Dativ].

Ich meine es ernst mit dir.

Damit ist gemeint, dass [Nebensatz].

Damit ist gemeint, dass wir warten.

Ich meine mich zu [Infinitiv].

Ich meine mich zu erinnern.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high. It is among the top 200 most used verbs in German.

Erreurs courantes

Was meint dieses Wort? → Was bedeutet dieses Wort?
You used 'meinen' for a definition. Only people can 'meinen'. Objects and words 'bedeuten'.
Ich meine gut. → Ich meine es gut.
You forgot the dummy object 'es' which is required in this idiom.
Ich meine, dass er kommt morgen. → Ich meine, dass er morgen kommt.
In a 'dass' clause, the conjugated verb must go to the very end.
Er ist sehr meinen. → Er ist sehr gemein.
You confused the verb 'meinen' with the adjective 'gemein' (mean/unfriendly).
Was meinst du über den Film? → Was meinst du zu dem Film?
The correct preposition to use with 'meinen' for an opinion is 'zu', not 'über'.

Astuces

The 'Es' Rule

In idiomatic phrases like 'es ernst meinen' or 'es gut meinen', the 'es' is mandatory. It represents the general situation or intent.

Meinen vs Bedeuten

Always remember: People 'meinen', things 'bedeuten'. A person has an opinion; a sign has a meaning.

Softening Opinions

Use 'Ich meine ja nur...' to make a criticism sound less harsh. It's like saying 'I'm just saying...'

Directness

Germans value clear opinions. Don't be afraid to use 'Ich meine...' to state your position clearly in a discussion.

Catching the 'Dass'

In spoken German, the 'dass' is often omitted. If you hear 'Ich meine, er kommt heute', the word order stays the same as a main clause.

Reporting Speech

Use 'meinte' in the past tense to report what someone said when you want to emphasize it was their opinion.

Mine-ing for thoughts

Associate 'meinen' with 'mine'. It's MY opinion, it's MINE.

Serious vs. Mean

Don't confuse the German 'meinen' with the English adjective 'mean' (unfriendly). 'Mean' as an adjective is 'gemein' in German.

Clarification

'Wie meinst du das?' is the most useful phrase for any learner. Use it whenever you are confused.

Formal Contexts

In academic writing, use 'meinen' to interpret an author's intent: 'Der Autor meint damit...'

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Meinen' as 'MINE-ing' for an opinion. It's what's in YOUR (mine) head, not a dictionary definition.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person pointing to their head (opinion) and then pointing to a specific person (reference). This covers the two main uses.

Word Web

Meinung Denken Glauben Bedeuten Ernst Gut Referenz Absicht

Défi

Try to use 'meinen' in three different ways today: once for an opinion, once to clarify a person you are talking about, and once to say you are serious.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Middle High German 'meinen' and Old High German 'meinan'. It shares the same root as the English word 'mean'.

Sens originel : The original Proto-Germanic root *mainijan meant 'to think, to have in mind, to mention'.

Germanic / Indo-European.

Contexte culturel

Be careful with 'Wenn du meinst' (If you think so), as it can sound passive-aggressive or dismissive in German, just like in English.

English speakers often use 'mean' for everything. Learning to separate 'meinen' and 'bedeuten' is a key milestone in sounding like a native German speaker.

The phrase 'Was meinst du?' is the title of many German advice columns. In the German translation of Hamlet, 'To be or not to be' uses 'sein oder nicht sein', but 'meinen' often appears in the surrounding philosophical musings. Political slogans often use 'Ehrlich gemeint' (Honestly intended) to build trust.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Giving an opinion

Ich meine, dass...
Was meinst du dazu?
Meiner Meinung nach...
Das meine ich auch.

Clarifying reference

Wen meinst du?
Ich meine dieses hier.
Meinst du mich?
Damit meine ich...

Expressing intent

Ich meine es ernst.
Er meint es gut.
Das war nicht so gemeint.
Wie meinst du das?

Disagreements

Wenn du meinst...
Das meine ich gar nicht.
Meinst du wirklich?
Ich meine das anders.

In a shop

Meinen Sie diese Größe?
Ich meine das blaue Hemd.
Welches meinen Sie?
Ich meine das dort oben.

Amorces de conversation

"Was meinst du zum Wetter heute?"

"Meinst du, wir schaffen das Projekt pünktlich?"

"Wen meinst du, wenn du von 'guten Freunden' sprichst?"

"Was meinst du zu dem neuen Restaurant in der Stadt?"

"Meinst du wirklich, dass Deutsch lernen schwer ist?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du etwas nicht so gemeint hast, wie es verstanden wurde.

Was meinst du: Ist künstliche Intelligenz gut oder schlecht für uns?

Beschreibe jemanden, der es immer gut meint, aber oft Fehler macht.

Was meinst du mit dem Begriff 'Erfolg'?

Reflektiere über einen Moment, in dem du es mit einer Entscheidung todernst meintest.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, that is a common mistake. For word definitions, you must use 'bedeuten'. For example, 'Was bedeutet dieses Wort?' is correct. 'Was meint dieses Wort?' would imply the word itself has an opinion.

'Ich denke' focuses on the cognitive act of thinking. 'Ich meine' focuses on the opinion you are expressing. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 'meinen' is more common when stating a specific viewpoint in a discussion.

You say 'Ich meine es gut'. You must include the 'es' as a dummy object. Without it, the sentence sounds incomplete to a native speaker.

'Meinen' is a weak verb. This means its conjugation is regular: meinen (present), meinte (past), hat gemeint (perfect).

Use this phrase whenever you want to hear someone's opinion on a specific topic, suggestion, or situation. It's very common in social settings.

Yes, it is used to refer to someone. 'Ich meine dich!' means 'I am talking about you' or 'I mean you'.

It translates to 'If you think so'. Depending on the tone, it can be neutral agreement or a slightly skeptical/dismissive response.

The phrase is 'Ich meine es ernst'. Again, don't forget the 'es'!

Yes, but in very formal writing, you might see 'der Auffassung sein' or 'der Meinung sein' instead of the verb 'meinen'.

When 'meinen' has a direct object (the person or thing you mean), it takes the accusative. For example: 'Ich meine den (Akk) Mann'.