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How to Say ‘What do the shapes mean?’ in German

Was bedeuten die Formen?

vahs beh-DOY-ten dee FOR-men

[vahs beh-DOY-ten dee FOR-men]

Phrase Breakdown

Was bedeuten

vahs beh-DOY-ten

What do ... mean

'bedeuten' means to mean. Here it is plural because 'die Formen' is plural. Stress the middle syllable: be-DEU-ten. 'eu' sounds like 'oy'.

Example

Was bedeuten diese Wörter?

What do these words mean?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vahs]

What

Used to ask for information about something.

Example

"Was" machst du?

"What" are you doing?

bedeuten

[beh-DOY-ten]

mean

Verb for what something signifies or represents.

Example

Was bedeuten diese Farben?

What do these colors mean?

die Formen?

dee FOR-men

the shapes?

'die Form' (shape) becomes 'die Formen' in the plural.

Example

Die Formen sind bunt.

The shapes are colorful.

Words in this phrase

die

[dee]

the

Definite article used to specify something already known.

Example

Die Katze ist süß.

The cat is cute.

Formen

[FOR-men]

shapes

Plural of 'die Form'; the outlines of objects.

Example

Die Formen sind bunt.

The shapes are colorful.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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