'Es' Definition

What is the meaning of the German word 'Es'?

Home > German Language > What is the meaning of Es?

The word 'Es' is a German word that can mean various things in English, such as 'it', 'it' or 'it'. Below are a few of the different meanings of the word 'Es', with examples sentences to help you understand how to use the word in context.

Definitions of 'Es' in English

-

pronoun

The pronoun 'es' is used to refer to a previously mentioned or understood object or thing. It can be translated as 'it' in English.

đź’ˇ Silly memory trick! To remember 'es,' think of it as 'e' for 'entity' or 'thing.' It represents an unnamed object or thing in the sentence.

Es - It

pronoun

The pronoun 'Es' is used in German to refer to inanimate objects or to emphasize the existence or presence of something. It is often translated as 'it' in English.

Example Sentences:

  • Es gibt einen kleinen Bären namens Max. - There is a little bear named Max.

đź’ˇ Silly memory trick! To remember 'Es,' think of the letter 'E' as representing something 'Existing' or 'Existing thing.' This can help you remember that 'Es' is used to refer to something that exists or is present, like an object or situation.

- - -

pronoun

The pronoun 'Es' is used as the subject in a sentence to refer to something non-specific or previously mentioned. In this case, it translates to 'It' in English.

Example Sentences:

  • Es ist Sommer. - It is summer.

German Challenges

Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for the feminine noun "Mutter" (mother)?

Das Auto der freundlichen Dame ist blau.

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
The correct form of the definite article for feminine nouns in the genitive case is "der". The sentence is indicating possession and thus, it needs to use the genitive case. The complete sentence is: "Das Auto der freundlichen Dame ist blau", which translates to "The friendly lady's car is blue"
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "liegen" in this sentence?

Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
The correct preposition to use with "liegen" is "auf", making the expression "liegen auf". The sentence "Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch" means "The book is on the table". Did you know? Prepositions in German can change the case of the noun that follows them. In the case of "liegen auf", the preposition "auf" requires the noun to be in the dative case.
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Advanced

Which word best completes the sentence to mean 'supplies'?

Es ist wichtig, genügend Vorräte für den langen Winter zu haben.

Reset answer
You answered incorrectly.
In this context, 'Vorräte' is the plural form of the noun 'Vorrat', which means 'supplies' or 'provisions' in English. This noun is commonly used to refer to food, drink, or other necessary items for survival or specific purposes, and it often implies a state of preparedness or readiness for a future event or period of time. The other options are either singular ('Vorrat') or decline incorrectly in the plural ('Vorräten', 'Vorrätes') according to the rules of German grammar.
View Full Challenge
Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the personal pronoun 'er' in the accusative case.

Siehst du ihn da drĂĽben?

Reset answer
You answered incorrectly.
The accusative form of the personal pronoun 'er' (he) is 'ihn'. In the sentence "Siehst du ihn da drĂĽben?" 'ihn' is used as the direct object, being the person seen (the one affected by the action of the verb). Here, the verb 'sehen' (to see) requires a direct object to complete its sense. 'Er' changes to 'ihn' in the accusative case to reflect this role.
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the definite article 'die' in the dative case for a plural noun.

Das Buch gehört den Kindern

Reset answer
You answered incorrectly.
The dative case of the definite article 'die' (the) when used with plural nouns is 'den'. So, the sentence should read 'Das Buch gehört den Kindern', translating to 'The book belongs to the children' in English.
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb 'hoffen' to mean 'to hope for'?

Er hofft auf einen Sieg

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
The correct preposition to use with 'hoffen' to convey the meaning of 'to hope for' is 'auf', forming the phrase 'hoffen auf'. The sentence 'Er hofft auf einen Sieg' translates to 'He hopes for a victory.' The other prepositions cannot be used to express the concept of hoping for something. Fun Fact: 'Hoffen auf' requires the accusative case.
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Intermediate

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the personal pronoun 'ihr' in the genitive case.

Das ist die Tasche ihrer Freundin.

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
The genitive case form of the possessive pronoun 'ihr' (her) corresponding to a feminine noun is 'ihrer'. In the sentence 'Das ist die Tasche ihrer Freundin', 'ihrer' is used to show possession, indicating that the friend is the owner of the bag. 'Ihr' changes to 'ihrer' in the genitive case to express this possession. Fun fact - if it was 'Ihrer' (with the first letter capitalized) then it would mean 'your' (format) not 'her'!
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "können" to fit the sentence below

Können wir zusammen essen gehen?

Reset answer
You answered incorrectly.
The correct form for 'können' in the first person plural for a suggestion is 'können'. The full translation is "Can we go to eat together?"
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Ich habe einen Kuchen gebacken.

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
'Backen' is a transitive action verb, hence it requires 'haben' to form the perfect past tense. So, the correct sentence is 'Ich habe einen Kuchen gebacken', which means 'I baked a cake'. 'Sein' is typically used with intransitive verbs which involve a change in state or movement, which is not the case with 'backen'. Understanding the differential usage of 'haben' and 'sein' is crucial to forming accurate sentences in German.
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge
Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "hängen" in this sentence?

Die Schlüssel hängen am Kleiderhaken

Reset answer
You answered correctly!
The correct preposition to use with "hängen" is "an", resulting in "hängen an". Therefore, "Die Schlüssel hängen am Kleiderhaken" means "The keys are hanging on the clothes hook". Note that "an dem" gets shortened to "am".
Explore these topics to learn more!
View Full Challenge

Track your progress, get daily alerts!

Simply provide your email address to keep track of your answers, and optionally receive daily alerts for new challenges.