01
bedeuten
to mean
To have a specific meaning, definition, or translation.
example
Was bedeutet dieses Fremdwort?
What does this foreign word mean?
bedeuten
to mean
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 04
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'bedeuten' (to mean) is inseparable. The prefix 'be-' stays firmly attached to the verb stem 'deuten' in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe nicht verstanden, was er bedeutete.
I didn't understand what he meant.
Dative construction
When expressing that someone or something is important to a person, that person is always in the dative. Typical adverbs in this context are 'viel' (a lot), 'nichts' (nothing), or 'alles' (everything).
EXAMPLE
Seine Familie bedeutet ihm alles.
His family means everything to him.
Sentence structure for consequences
To express a result or consequence, 'bedeuten' (to mean) is often followed by a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or simply by a noun in the accusative. The subject is usually a situation or a fact.
EXAMPLE
Der Streik bedeutet, dass heute keine Züge fahren.
The strike means that no trains are running today.
Context clue
This meaning is almost always used in a context that describes a nonverbal gesture. It is typical of written language, especially in narratives.
EXAMPLE
Mit einer Handbewegung bedeutete sie uns, leise zu sein.
With a hand gesture, she signaled to us to be quiet.
Compare with
bedeuten vs sagen
to say
'sagen' and 'bedeuten' can both refer to what meaning something has. 'bedeuten' is more precise when it is about the definition of a word, the meaning of a sign, or a consequence. 'sagen' is used more when something shows a message or indirectly lets you recognize something. Learners confuse the words because sometimes both can be understood in roughly the same way. Even so, 'Was bedeutet dieses Wort?' (What does this word mean?) sounds more natural than 'Was sagt dieses Wort?' And 'Sein Verhalten sagt viel' (His behavior says a lot) sounds more natural when you mean that you can infer something from it.
bedeuten
Dieses Schild bedeutet, dass man hier nicht parken darf.
This sign means that you are not allowed to park here.
sagen
Seine kurze Antwort sagt viel über seine schlechte Laune.
His brief answer says a lot about his bad mood.
In real life
Loading video examples...