German word

wissen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɪsn̩/

Meaning

  • verbknow

Example

Weißt du das?

Do you know that?

Illustration for wissen (know)

More examples

Ich möchte wissen, ob das stimmt.

I want to know whether that is true.

Core concept

A person holds an answer or piece of information firmly enough to state that it is true.

Common phrases

  • nicht wissen

    not know

  • etwas genau wissen

    know something exactly

Similar words

kennen: Be acquainted with a person or place.
verstehen: Understand the meaning or intention of words or speech.
erfahren: Find out about an event or piece of information later.
lernen: Acquire new knowledge or skills through study or practice.

Definition in German

etwas als gesicherte Information oder Tatsache im Kopf haben; wissen, dass etwas so ist

Word origin

German wissen continues the Old High German forms wizzan and wissan and ultimately comes from Proto-Germanic *witaną.

Usage tips

  • A proposition is commonly introduced with dass after wissen, as in wissen, dass etwas so ist.

Opposites

Related words

  • das Wissenknowledgenoun
  • wissenswertworth knowingadjective

Word lists with this word