Breakdown of Die Beeren im Joghurt sind süß.
sein
to be
im
in the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
süß
sweet
der Joghurt
the yogurt
Questions & Answers about Die Beeren im Joghurt sind süß.
Why is it die Beeren and not der or das Beeren?
Because Beeren is plural here and means berries.
In German, the definite article for plural nouns in the nominative is usually die:
- die Beere = the berry
- die Beeren = the berries
So die here does not mean the noun is feminine singular. It means the noun is plural.
What is the singular form of Beeren?
The singular is die Beere.
So the forms are:
- die Beere = the berry
- die Beeren = the berries
This is a very common plural pattern in German: adding -n or -en.
Why is the verb sind and not ist?
Because the subject is plural: die Beeren.
German sein changes depending on the subject:
- ich bin
- du bist
- er/sie/es ist
- wir sind
- ihr seid
- sie/Sie sind
Since the berries is plural, you use sind:
- Die Beeren sind süß. = The berries are sweet.
If it were singular, you would use ist:
- Die Beere ist süß. = The berry is sweet.