01
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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 05
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 formulieren
to formulate
'schreiben' and 'formulieren' can both have to do with texts and language. 'schreiben' means creating a text, for example an email, a letter, or a report. 'formulieren' means finding the right words for a thought, a request, or a statement. So you can write a text and spend a long time thinking about how to formulate a sentence. Learners may confuse the words because both happen when writing. In practical terms: 'schreiben' is the activity, while 'formulieren' is the precise choice of words.
schreiben
Meine Freundin schreibt heute eine E-Mail an die Bank.
My friend is writing an email to the bank today.
formulieren
Im Bewerbungsschreiben formulierte er seine Bitte besonders höflich.
In the cover letter, he formulated his request especially politely.
In real life
Loading video examples...