German for English speakers Zoo · Lesson 5

What do you mean?

Ask 'what do you mean?' in German — Warte. Wie meinst du das? (Wait. What do you mean by that?).

Conversation

  1. Cassian Cassian

    Ich würde gerne einen Affen kaufen.

    I want to buy a monkey!

  2. PX296 PX296

    Warte mal, was meinst du denn damit?

    One moment. What do you mean?

    Tip: <mal> = this is the shortened form of "einmal". It is used in the sense of " a sec" or "a moment".

  3. Cassian Cassian

    Ich würde gerne ein Stofftier haben.

    I mean a stuffed animal.

  4. PX296 PX296

    Ach, ein Stofftier, versteh schon.

    Aaaah, a stuffed one!

    Tip: <Stofftier> = lit. a stuffed animal

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you say 'what do you mean?' in German?

Wie meinst du das? (informal) or Wie meinen Sie das? (formal). Meinen = 'to mean'.

What does warte mean?

'Wait' — imperative of warten (du form). Polite: Warten Sie (Sie form). Used for pausing conversation.

How do you say 'I want to buy ...' in German?

Ich will ... kaufen (direct) or Ich möchte ... kaufen (polite). Kaufen = 'to buy'.