to believe
glauben – glaubte – hat geglaubt
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to believe
To consider something true or correct even though you do not know or cannot prove it for certain.
Viele Menschen glauben, dass Spinat besonders viel Eisen enthält.
Many people believe that spinach contains a particularly large amount of iron.
to believe
To express an assumption or a personal opinion; it often means 'meinen' (to think) or 'vermuten' (to assume).
Ich glaube, der Schlüssel liegt auf dem Tisch.
I think the key is on the table.
to believe someone
To consider someone's statement true and trust that the person is telling the truth.
Ich glaube dir, dass du nichts davon gewusst hast.
I believe you when you say you didn't know anything about it.
to believe in someone/something
To be convinced of and have confidence in someone's or something's abilities, success, or impact.
Die Mannschaft glaubt an ihre Chance auf den Sieg.
The team believes in its chance of winning.
to believe in God
To hold a religious belief and assume that God exists.
Meine Großmutter glaubt fest an Gott.
My grandmother firmly believes in God.
to not be able to believe
To find something so surprising or unbelievable that you initially do not consider it possible.
Ich kann nicht glauben, dass du die Prüfung bestanden hast.
I can't believe that you passed the exam.
| ich | glaube |
|---|---|
| du | glaubst |
| er/sie/es | glaubt |
| wir | glauben |
| ihr | glaubt |
| sie | glauben |
| ich | glaubte |
|---|---|
| du | glaubtest |
| er/sie/es | glaubte |
| wir | glaubten |
| ihr | glaubtet |
| sie | glaubten |
| ich | habe geglaubt |
|---|---|
| du | hast geglaubt |
| er/sie/es | hat geglaubt |
| wir | haben geglaubt |
| ihr | habt geglaubt |
| sie | haben geglaubt |
| du | glaub! glaube! |
|---|---|
| ihr | glaubt! |
| Sie | glauben Sie! |
| ich | hatte geglaubt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest geglaubt |
| er/sie/es | hatte geglaubt |
| wir | hatten geglaubt |
| ihr | hattet geglaubt |
| sie | hatten geglaubt |
| ich | werde glauben |
|---|---|
| du | wirst glauben |
| er/sie/es | wird glauben |
| wir | werden glauben |
| ihr | werdet glauben |
| sie | werden glauben |
| ich | glaube |
|---|---|
| du | glaubest |
| er/sie/es | glaube |
| wir | glauben |
| ihr | glaubet |
| sie | glauben |
Used for reported speech.
| ich | glaubte |
|---|---|
| du | glaubtest |
| er/sie/es | glaubte |
| wir | glaubten |
| ihr | glaubtet |
| sie | glaubten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
| infinitive | glauben |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu glauben |
| present participle | glaubend |
| past participle | geglaubt |
The construction following 'glauben' (to believe) often shows what the verb refers to: a person is in the dative, a belief or goal usually takes 'an' (in) with the accusative, and a statement can follow in a 'dass' clause (that-clause).
Sie glaubt ihrem Bruder, dass er die Wahrheit sagt.
She believes her brother when he says he is telling the truth.
A 'dass' clause (that-clause) very often follows 'glauben' (to believe) to form a complete statement. In the dass-clause, the finite verb comes at the end.
Ich glaube, dass die Reparatur länger dauert.
I believe that the repair will take longer.
For a brief personal opinion, 'glauben' (to believe) can also come directly before another main clause. After the comma, normal main-clause word order remains, with the finite verb in second position.
Ich glaube, der Laden schließt schon um sechs Uhr.
I believe the shop is closing at six already.
When 'glauben' (to believe) refers to someone's statement, that person is in the dative. This also applies when a dass-clause (that-clause) is included.
Ich glaube meiner Nachbarin, weil sie immer ehrlich ist.
I believe my neighbor because she is always honest.
When expressing trust in a person, possibility, or success, 'an' (in) is used with the accusative. This combination describes a belief that one relies on inwardly.
Die jungen Musiker glauben an ihre Fähigkeiten.
The young musicians believe in their abilities.
In a religious context, 'glauben' (to believe) is often combined with 'fest' (firmly) or 'tief' (deeply) and with 'an Gott' (in God). Specific religious beliefs can also follow 'an' (in).
Viele Menschen glauben fest an Gott.
Many people firmly believe in God.
In 'nicht glauben können' (to not be able to believe), 'können' (can/be able to) is used as a modal verb; 'glauben' (to believe) follows in the infinitive at the end. The expression is often completed by a dass-clause (that-clause).
Sie konnte nicht glauben, dass ihr Name auf der Liste stand.
She couldn't believe that her name was on the list.
