sagen
Translation
to say, to tell
Examples
Er sagt immer die Wahrheit.
He always tells the truth.
Sie sagt ihm, dass sie müde ist.
She tells him that she is tired.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to say sth. He says the truth.
((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to tell sb. sth. She tells him the truth.
((that-clause)) to say that... He says that he is coming.
((to sb.)) to say to sb. What does he say to you?
Similar Words
Synonyms: sprechen (to speak), erzählen (to tell), mitteilen (to inform); Antonyms: schweigen (to be silent)
Etymology
From Old High German 'sagēn'. Cognate with English 'say'.
Memory Tips
It sounds very similar to the English word 'say'. The German 'g' is often pronounced softly.