texten
to text
Colloquial for writing and sending a short message (SMS) or a message via a messenger service such as WhatsApp.
EXAMPLE
Ich texte dir später, wann ich ankomme.
I'll text you later when I arrive.
texten
to text / to write
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Meanings
texten
to write copy
To compose, formulate, or write a text of any kind.
EXAMPLE
Der Marketing-Mitarbeiter muss heute noch die neue Werbebroschüre texten.
The marketing employee still has to write the copy for the new advertising brochure today.
texten
to write lyrics
To write the words for a song, meaning the lyrics.
EXAMPLE
Sie komponiert die Melodien und ihr Partner textet die passenden Worte dazu.
She composes the melodies, and her partner writes the matching lyrics for them.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'texten' is derived directly from the noun 'der Text' (the text). This formation is common in German, especially for modern activities.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den ganzen Vormittag an diesem wichtigen Text gearbeitet.
He worked on this important text all morning.
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'texten' from context. In everyday life, with reference to a mobile phone, it almost always means sending a message. In a professional context, it is about writing professional texts, and in a musical context, about song lyrics.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir kurz texten, wenn du fertig bist?
Can you text me quickly when you're done?
Register
In the meaning 'to send a message', 'texten' is very colloquial and is used mainly in spoken language and informal chats.
EXAMPLE
Text mir mal ein Foto von deinem neuen Auto!
Text me a photo of your new car!
Use with dative
When you say whom you are writing a message to, that person is usually in the dative. The most common form is 'jemandem texten' (to text someone).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss meiner Mutter noch schnell texten, dass ich später komme.
I still need to quickly text my mother that I'll be coming later.
Compare with
texten vs schreiben
to write
Schreiben is the neutral term for communicating through written messages and can also refer to letters or emails. Texten is colloquial and refers especially to sending short messages by phone or messenger. Both are possible for a messenger message, but texten sounds more casual.
texten
Ich texte dir später kurz über WhatsApp.
I’ll text you on WhatsApp later.
schreiben
Ich schreibe dir später eine kurze Nachricht über WhatsApp.
I’ll send you a short message on WhatsApp later.
In real life
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