The idea
Bedeuten is the verb for what a word means: “Was bedeutet …?”. Meinen is for what a person means: “Welchen Abschnitt meinen Sie?”. Angeben means to state information on a form; “falsch angeben” is to give wrong information, and nichts is placed before it. “Ich hole jemanden, der Ihnen das erklärt” has a relative clause with der and the verb at the end.
Other ways to say it
“Können Sie mir dieses Feld kurz erklären?” – Polite direct request; das Feld is a box on a form.
“Was muss ich hier eintragen?” – Neutral; useful when the word is clear but the task is not.
Examples
- Was bedeutet dieses Wort auf dem Formular?What does this word on the form mean?
- Welchen Abschnitt meinen Sie genau?Which section exactly do you mean?
- Die Frage unter den Kontaktdaten.The question below the contact details.
- Ich hole jemanden, der Ihnen das erklärt.I will get someone to explain it to you.
- Ich möchte nichts falsch angeben.I do not want to give incorrect information.
- Lassen Sie uns die Frage erst klären.Let us clarify the question first.
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Watch out
“Was meint dieses Wort?” → “Was bedeutet dieses Wort?”: English “mean” covers both, but in German words bedeuten something while people meinen something. „Was meinen Sie?“ asks about a person’s intention.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: What does this word on the form mean?
Show answer or example answer
Was bedeutet dieses Wort auf dem Formular?
“Was bedeutet” asks for meaning; “dieses Wort” is the neuter subject, and “auf dem Formular” is dative for where the word stands.
Put the words in order: den / Die / Frage / Kontaktdaten / unter
Show answer or example answer
Die Frage unter den Kontaktdaten.
An answer without verb; “unter den Kontaktdaten” uses unter with the dative plural to locate the question on the page.
Write this sentence in German: Let us clarify the question first.
Show answer or example answer
Lassen Sie uns die Frage erst klären.
“Lassen Sie uns” is a polite joint suggestion; “erst” means first, before you continue filling in the form.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: What does this word on the form mean?
Was bedeutet dieses Wort auf dem Formular?
Put the words in order: den / Die / Frage / Kontaktdaten / unter
Die Frage unter den Kontaktdaten.
Write this sentence in German: Let us clarify the question first.
Lassen Sie uns die Frage erst klären.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Find any German form online, choose a word you do not know, and write the question you would ask at the desk to have it explained.