heißen
Translation
was called, was named, meant
Examples
Der Mann hieß früher anders.
The man used to be called something else.
Das hieß, wir mussten warten.
That meant we had to wait.
Grammar Patterns
Subject + ((hieß)) + Name (sb.) was called (name) The king was called Arthur.
Subject + ((hieß)), dass... (sth.) meant that... That meant that we had lost.
Similar Words
wurde genannt (was named)
Etymology
The simple past (Präteritum) form of the verb 'heißen' (to be called). From Old High German 'heizzan'.
Memory Tips
This is the past tense used in storytelling and written narratives. Think 'Once upon a time, there was a king. He was called...'