sind: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (in English); Very High (in German as a fundamental verb form)Specialised/Technical (when used as a German grammatical example); Archaic/Dialectal (for the English verb sense)
Quick answer
What does “sind” mean?
Second person plural present indicative of the verb 'to be' in German (Sie sind = you are, formal/plural).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Second person plural present indicative of the verb 'to be' in German (Sie sind = you are, formal/plural); also archaic/regional English verb meaning 'to wash or rinse'.
As a German loan/grammatical term: the plural/formal form of 'sein' (to be). In historical/regional English: to wash lightly, cleanse, or pass through water.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The German word is used identically in both varieties when discussing German. The archaic English verb is slightly more attested in British dialectology.
Connotations
German 'sind' carries no particular connotation. The English 'sind' connotes historical or rural processes.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general English usage for both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “sind” in a Sentence
[NP]_Sie sind [AdjP/PP/NP] (e.g., Sie sind müde/hier/Ärzte)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sind” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old recipe instructed to 'sind' the cloth in cold water.
- In the dialect, they would sind their faces at the pump.
American English
- The historical manual described how to sind the newly spun wool.
- This process, called 'sinding', was crucial for preparing the fibres.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in formal German business correspondence (Sie sind herzlich eingeladen...).
Academic
Common in German language textbooks and linguistics papers discussing verb conjugation.
Everyday
Virtually non-existent in everyday English. Common in everyday German.
Technical
Appears in historical texts on textile manufacturing (e.g., 'to sind the yarn').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sind”
- Using 'sind' as an English word (e.g., 'They sind happy').
- Pronouncing the 's' as /s/ instead of /z/ in the German word.
- Omitting the capital 'S' in the formal 'Sie sind'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It exists in English only as a very rare, archaic, or dialectal verb meaning 'to wash' and, more commonly, as a direct borrowing of the German verb form.
Use 'sind' for the third-person plural (sie/Sie) and the formal second-person (Sie) present tense of 'sein' (to be). It must agree with a plural or formal subject.
'Bist' is the second-person singular informal form (du bist = you are). 'Sind' is the second-person formal or plural form (Sie sind = you are) and the third-person plural (sie sind = they are).
You might encounter it as a variant of 'synd' or as the dialectal verb meaning to wash, rinse, or strain a liquid.
Second person plural present indicative of the verb 'to be' in German (Sie sind = you are, formal/plural).
Sind is usually specialised/technical (when used as a german grammatical example); archaic/dialectal (for the english verb sense) in register.
Sind: in British English it is pronounced /zɪnt/ (approximation of German pronunciation); /sɪnd/ (for English verb), and in American English it is pronounced /zɪnt/ (approximation of German); /sɪnd/ (for English verb). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Was sind Sie von Beruf?" (What is your profession?)”
- “"Wie sind Sie?" (How are you? - formal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Link 'sind' to 'send' – you SEND a message to say who you ARE (Sie sind...). For the English verb, think 'SIN' + 'D' – washing away sin.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXISTENCE IS LOCATION/STATE (German 'sind' often precedes a state or location). CLEANLINESS IS PURIFICATION (archaic English sense).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'sind' in a modern English context?