The subject pronouns in German indicate who or what is performing the action in a sentence. They correspond to "I," "you," "he," "she," "we," etc., in English.

1. Singular Pronouns

2. Plural Pronouns

Important Notes on Formality

• "du" vs. "Sie":

  In German, the choice between "du" and "Sie" is crucial:

  • Use "du" with close friends, family, and people of similar age or rank.
  • Use "Sie" in professional settings, with strangers, or as a sign of respect.

• Austrian German Variants:

  • While "Sie" is standard formal usage in Austria as well, "du" may be extended to acquaintances faster than in Germany.

Examples

1. Singular
   • Ich bin müde. *(I am tired.)*Pronunciation: /ɪç bɪn ˈmyːdə/
   • Du bist nett. *(You are nice.)*Pronunciation: /duː bɪst nɛt/
   • Er spielt Fußball. *(He plays soccer.)*Pronunciation: /eːɐ ʃpiːlt ˈfuːsbal/
2. Plural
   • Wir gehen ins Kino. *(We are going to the cinema.)*Pronunciation: /viːɐ ˈgeːən ɪns ˈkiːno/
   • Ihr seid pünktlich. *(You all are punctual.)*Pronunciation: /iːɐ zaɪ̯t ˈpʏŋktlɪç/
   • Sie sprechen Deutsch. *(They speak German.)*Pronunciation: /ziː ˈʃprɛçən dɔʏ̯tʃ/

Understanding the Different Uses of "sie," "Sie," and "Sie" in German

In German, the word "sie" can be tricky because it has three distinct meanings depending on context and capitalization. Here's how to differentiate them:

1. "sie" (lowercase)

Meaning: she or they

• As "she": Refers to a singular female subject.