21 December 2025
How do you say Sign in German?
Whether it’s a traffic sign, a handwritten symbol, or a subtle gesture - Germans call it a Zeichen. It’s a word that points, marks, and signals meaning, even when nothing is said.
The noun Zeichen means sign, symbol, mark, or signal, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. It’s everywhere - from math class to street corners to spiritual conversations.
It’s a neuter noun, so we say das Zeichen.
Pronunciation
Zeichen is pronounced [ˈtsaɪ̯çn̩], approximately [TSY-chen]; ch is the ich sound.
- Zei sounds like “tsai” (rhyming with eye),
- ch is the ich sound, a light fricative made near the hard palate,
- en is a soft “uhn.”
- Stress is on the first syllable: ZEI-chen
It’s light and quick - like the signals it refers to.
Example sentences:
- Gib mir ein Zeichen, wenn du fertig bist.Give me a sign when you’re ready.
- Das war ein deutliches Zeichen von Respekt.That was a clear sign of respect.
Nuance and usage tips
Zeichen is a broad word that includes visual, symbolic, and metaphorical meanings:
- Literal signs and symbols
- Verkehrszeichen - traffic sign
- Schriftzeichen - character (e.g. in Chinese or digital fonts)
- Satzzeichen - punctuation mark
- Signals / gestures
- Handzeichen - hand signal
- Geheimzeichen - secret signal
- ein Zeichen geben - to give a sign or cue
- Figurative / abstract
- ein Zeichen von Stärke - a sign of strength
- Zeichen der Zeit - sign of the times
- ein Zeichen setzen - to make a statement / take a stand
Good to know:
- Lebenszeichen - sign of life (Gib mal ein Lebenszeichen! - Let me know you’re alive!)
- Sternzeichen - zodiac sign (Was ist dein Sternzeichen? - What’s your sign?)
- Markenzeichen - trademark, signature feature
Grammatical case examples:
- Nominative:Das Zeichen war kaum zu erkennen.The sign was barely visible.
- Accusative:Ich habe das Zeichen übersehen.I missed the sign.
- Dative:Mit dem Zeichen begann die Show.The show began with the signal.
- Genitive:Wegen des Zeichens hielten sie an.Because of the sign, they stopped.
Neuter case pattern: das, das, dem, des
Word variations and language tidbits
Variation Station:
- Zeichensprache - communication through signs or gestures; a natural signed language is usually called Gebärdensprache
- Zeichnung - drawing (not the same word, but related!)
- Handzeichen - gesture
- Satzzeichen - punctuation mark
- Warnzeichen - warning sign
- Tierkreiszeichen - zodiac sign
Fun idiomatic note:The phrase ein Zeichen setzen (literally “to set a sign”) means to make a statement, often morally or politically:
„Mit dem Protest wollten sie ein Zeichen gegen Rassismus setzen.““With the protest, they wanted to make a statement against racism.”
📘 Duden entry: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Zeichen
🎥 Learn Zeichen and the rest of the top 1000 German nouns in our free online video course:Watch the 1000 German Nouns video course
Alternate translations note:For characters (like letters or symbols), Zeichen works - especially in digital or typographic settings. For miracles or signs from above, Zeichen still fits. It’s a beautifully adaptable word for anything that stands in for meaning-silent or loud. Careful: a physical sign you put up (a shop sign, a “No parking” sign) is usually ein Schild, and to sign a document is unterschreiben.
Ready for more German words of the day? Do you know what Zahn means? How about Zeitung? Find out!
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