nennen
to name
To give someone or something a name.
EXAMPLE
Sie haben beschlossen, ihr Kind Leo zu nennen.
They decided to name their child Leo.
nennen
to call / name
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Meanings
nennen
to name / mention
To state, list, or mention something by naming it.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir bitte die drei Hauptgründe für Ihre Entscheidung nennen?
Could you please name the three main reasons for your decision?
nennen
to call
To characterize someone with a particular expression or label, often in a derogatory way.
EXAMPLE
Er war so wütend, dass er seinen Kollegen einen Idioten nannte.
He was so angry that he called his colleague an idiot.
sich nennen
to call oneself
To use a particular name or label for oneself.
EXAMPLE
Der Schriftsteller, der sich selbst nur „Der Beobachter“ nennt, bleibt anonym.
The writer, who calls himself only 'The Observer,' remains anonymous.
Usage tips
Sentence structure with double accusative
The verb 'nennen' (to call/name) is often used with a double accusative. This means that two accusative objects appear in the sentence: the person/thing being named, and the name or label itself.
EXAMPLE
Seine Freunde nennen ihn einen Experten für alte Filme.
His friends call him an expert on old films.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'erwähnen' (to mention), 'nennen' (to name/mention) is often combined with words like 'Gründe' (reasons), 'Beispiele' (examples), 'Vorteile' (advantages), 'Nachteile' (disadvantages), or 'Zahlen' (figures/numbers).
EXAMPLE
Der Redner nannte drei wesentliche Vorteile des neuen Systems.
The speaker named three key advantages of the new system.
Context clue
When 'nennen' (to call) is used to characterize someone, it often has a negative or derogatory meaning. The second accusative object is then usually an insult or a critical description.
EXAMPLE
Sie war so enttäuscht, dass sie ihn einen Lügner nannte.
She was so disappointed that she called him a liar.
Reflexive use
The verb can also be used reflexively: 'sich nennen' (to call oneself). This means that a person uses a particular name or label for themselves.
EXAMPLE
Der Künstler nennt sich einfach nur „Z“.
The artist simply calls himself 'Z.'
Compare with
nennen vs heißen
to be called / to mean
Heißen describes the name a person or thing has. Nennen, by contrast, describes someone giving a person or thing a name. Heißen is used for an existing name; nennen is used for the action of naming something or someone.
nennen
Die Eltern nennen das Kind Mia.
The parents named the child Mia.
heißen
Das Kind heißt Mia.
The child is named Mia.
In real life
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