heißen is a cornerstone of German communication, essential for introducing yourself and others by name. It’s a copular verb that links the subject to a name or designation, and it’s used only in the present, past, and subjunctive forms—never as an imperative or in the infinitive for typical naming contexts.
- heißen = "to be called," used for names and introductions
- Fundamental for self-introductions and presentations
- Only used as a name-linking verb, not for general meanings of "to call"
Conjugation: Present Tense
heißen is a regular verb in terms of its stem changes for conjugation, but with a distinctive “ß” in the stem.
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ich heiße | Wir heißen |
| 2nd | Du heißt | Ihr heißt |
| 3rd | Er/sie/es heißt | Sie heißen |
- The stem “heiß-” drops the “en”/“n” for all but 1st and 3rd plural
- The “ß” replaces “ss” after the long vowel “ei”
Only 'Sie heißen' is correct for 'they are called.'
Usage: Introducing Names
heißen is used when stating someone’s name—literal translation is “to be called.” The subject determines the verb form:
- When I say my name: Ich heiße... (I am called...)
- When you address someone: Du heißt... (You are called...)
- For others: Er/sie heißt... (He/she is called...)
- For groups: Wir/Sie heißen... (We/You/They are called...)
Example:
- Ich heiße Anna. (My name is Anna.)
- Wie heißt du? (What is your name?)
- Sie heißen Müller. (Their name is Müller.)
'heißen' is used for naming: Ich heiße...
Important: Not for Naming Objects
heißen is only for people (or sometimes animals) and their “names.” It’s not used for naming objects or creating titles. For those contexts, you’d use nennen or benennen.
Related Forms
- Past: hießen (They were called = Sie hießen...)
- Subjunctive: hieße (If I were called = Wenn ich hieße...)
Conclusion
heißen is essential for any basic German introduction, making it possible to say who you are and learn others’ names.
- Use heißen to say or ask for names: Ich heiße..., Wie heißt du...?
- Remember it’s only for naming people, not objects
- Mastering heißen unlocks simple but crucial conversations