German word

mein

Pronunciation

IPA/maɪ̯n/

Meaning

  • pronounmy

Example

Meine Mutter liest ein Buch.

My mother is reading a book.

Illustration for mein (my)

More examples

In der Schule suche ich mein Heft.

At school, I look for my notebook.

Core concept

A line drawn from the speaker to a person, object, or idea named in the sentence.

Common phrases

  • mein Name

    my name

  • mein Buch

    my book

  • mein Rucksack

    my backpack

Definition in German

Das Wort mein kennzeichnet ein Nomen als etwas, das zur sprechenden Person gehört; seine Form kann sich ändern.

Word origin

The inherited Germanic form mein developed from Proto-Germanic *mīnaz, alongside the related English word my.

Usage tips

  • When the noun is omitted, mein changes form to match the implied noun, as in Das Buch ist meins and Die Tasche ist meine.

Other meanings

  • minepronoun

Word lists with this word