war — meaning in English: was

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for be

lassen

fast

dachte

zurück

war

Skip this question

🎓

Learn German for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use 'war' in various contexts, particularly when discussing past events, like describing what they did yesterday or recalling memories. For instance, someone might say, 'Ich war gestern im Kino' (I was at the cinema yesterday) in casual conversation with friends.

Synonyms & nuances

'War' is often compared to 'hatte' (had) when discussing past states or actions. While 'hatte' indicates possession or experience, 'war' specifically refers to states of being. You'll choose 'war' when you want to convey existence in the past.

Culture

'War' is the simple past form of the verb 'sein' (to be) in German. This verb is essential in everyday conversations, much like its English counterpart 'was.' Interestingly, 'war' has roots in the Old High German word 'wesi,' which indicates a long-standing significance in the language's evolution.

FAQ

Q.What is the meaning of the German word 'war'?

'War' means 'was' in English, representing the past tense of 'to be.' It's used to indicate a state of being that occurred previously.

Q.How do I use 'war' in a sentence?

You can use 'war' to speak about something you did or a state you were in. For example, 'Ich war müde' translates to 'I was tired.'

Q.Are there common mistakes with 'war'?

One common mistake is using 'war' with a subject that is not in the past. Ensure that the context is clearly in the past to use 'war' correctly.

Learn german with Maspeak →

German 500