schreiben
to write
To produce letters, words, or symbols on a surface with a pen, keyboard, or another tool.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte deinen Namen auf die Liste schreiben?
Could you please write your name on the list?
schreiben
to write
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Meanings
schreiben
to write
To compose a text such as a letter, a book, an email, or an article.
EXAMPLE
Sie schreibt gerade an ihrem zweiten Roman.
She is currently writing her second novel.
schreiben
to message
To communicate with someone through written messages, for example by letter, email, or messenger.
EXAMPLE
Wir schreiben uns fast jeden Tag eine Nachricht.
We message each other almost every day.
sich schreiben
to be spelled
To have a particular spelling or orthography.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, wie schreibt sich Ihr Nachname?
Excuse me, how is your last name spelled?
schreiben
to be
A formal or literary way of stating the current date or year.
EXAMPLE
Wir schreiben das Jahr 1990, als die Wiedervereinigung stattfand.
It was the year 1990 when reunification took place.
Usage tips
Dative and accusative object
'Schreiben' (to write) is very often used with a person in the dative (to whom?) and a thing in the accusative (what?). The structure is: subject + schreibt + dative object + accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Ich schreibe meiner Freundin eine lange E-Mail.
I am writing my friend a long email.
Word family
Many important nouns are derived from the verb 'schreiben' (to write), for example 'der Schriftsteller' (person who writes books), 'die Schrift' (style of writing/script), or 'die Überschrift' (heading/title).
EXAMPLE
Seine Handschrift ist sehr schwer zu lesen.
His handwriting is very hard to read.
Typical collocations
Common texts that one 'schreibt' (writes) are: a letter, an email, a message, a novel, a written exam, or a test.
EXAMPLE
Die Studenten müssen nächste Woche eine Klausur schreiben.
The students have to write an exam next week.
Communication
When referring to communication between people, the structure 'mit jemandem schreiben' (to write/message with someone) is often used. The reflexive form 'sich schreiben' (to write to each other) is also common.
EXAMPLE
Ich schreibe oft mit meiner Familie über das Internet.
I often message with my family online.
Asking about spelling
To ask about the correct spelling of a word, you use the reflexive phrase 'Wie schreibt sich ...?' (How is ... spelled?). This is a very useful question in everyday life.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, wie schreibt sich dieser komplizierte Name?
Excuse me, how is this complicated name spelled?
Formal time expression
The formulation 'Wir schreiben das Jahr ...' (We write the year ... / It is the year ...) is a formal or literary way to give a date. It is often found at the beginning of historical narratives.
EXAMPLE
Wir schreiben das Jahr 2024 und die Technologie entwickelt sich rasant.
It is the year 2024, and technology is developing rapidly.
Compare with
schreiben vs Brief
letter
Schreiben refers here to the act of composing a text. Der Brief, on the other hand, is the written message that results and is usually sent by mail. When referring to the activity, use schreiben; when referring to the finished written document, use der Brief.
schreiben
Ich schreibe meiner Tante heute eine persönliche Nachricht auf Papier.
I’m writing my aunt a personal message on paper today.
Brief
Der Brief an meine Tante liegt schon fertig auf dem Tisch.
The letter to my aunt is already finished and lying on the table.
In real life
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