Definition
To believe or to think (as in forming an opinion). Used very commonly in casual speech where English speakers would say “I think…” — Ich glaube… is the go-to phrase for expressing an opinion or uncertainty.
Conjugation / Declension
Regular verb.
| Person | Präsens |
|---|---|
| ich | glaube |
| du | glaubst |
| er/sie/es | glaubt |
| wir | glauben |
| ihr | glaubt |
| sie/Sie | glauben |
Perfekt: hat geglaubt
Examples
- Ich glaube, das stimmt. — I think that’s right.
- Ich glaube, er kommt nicht. — I think he’s not coming.
- Glaubst du mir? — Do you believe me?
- Das glaube ich nicht. — I don’t believe that.
Notes
Ich glaube (literally “I believe”) is used constantly in conversational German where English uses “I think.” It softens a statement and signals uncertainty — very natural and polite. When followed by a clause, notice the word order: Ich glaube, [dass] er kommt. The dass is optional in speech.