heißen
to be called/named
An irregular verb meaning 'to be called'. One of the very first verbs you learn: 'Ich heiße...' (My name is...). Also means 'to mean': 'Was heißt das?' (What does that mean?).
Conjugation
Present Tense (Präsens)
| Pronomen | Form |
|---|---|
| ich | heiße |
| du | heißt |
| er/sie/es | heißt |
| wir | heißen |
| ihr | heißt |
| sie/Sie | heißen |
Simple Past (Präteritum)
| Pronomen | Form |
|---|---|
| ich | hieß |
| du | hießt |
| er/sie/es | hieß |
| wir | hießen |
| ihr | hießt |
| sie/Sie | hießen |
Perfect (Perfekt)
| Auxiliary | Partizip II |
|---|---|
| haben | geheißen |
z.B.: Ich habe geheißen
Imperative (Imperativ)
| du | ihr | Sie |
|---|---|---|
| heiß(e) | heißt | heißen Sie |
Example Sentences
Ich heiße Maria. Wie heißt du?
My name is Maria. What's your name?
Was heißt 'Schmetterling' auf Englisch?
What does 'Schmetterling' mean in English?
Usage Tips
Two meanings: 1) 'to be called' — 'Ich heiße Anna' (My name is Anna), 2) 'to mean' — 'Was heißt dieses Wort?' (What does this word mean?). Both are extremely common in daily German.
Common Mistakes
Adding an article: 'Ich heiße der Max'
Related Verbs
Related Grammar
Explore More
Helpful tools for anyone learning German. No signup required.
92 grammar topics organized by CEFR level, from A1 beginner to C1 advanced. Each topic includes examples, common mistakes, and learning tips.
See how de-de works alongside popular German learning tools.
Master German sounds with IPA guides and practice tips.
German courses tailored to your goals.
10 daily news from Germany, adapted to your language level
Ready to speak German?
Start your AI-powered German course today. No subscription — just your OpenAI API key (~$0.50/week).