Sag es richtig: Why “Ich bin kalt” is wrong – and what to say instead
- Sarah
- Aug 2
- 2 min read
At GermanMind, we believe that learning German should be clear, correct and natural – just like in our new Instagram series: Sag es richtig!
Every week, we’ll post a quick tip that helps you avoid typical mistakes and sound more like a native German speaker.
Let’s start with a sentence that many learners get wrong:
Ich bin kalt. This literally means “I am cold.” So, what’s the problem?
In German, this sentence is grammatically correct – but it doesn’t mean what you want it to mean. Saying “Ich bin kalt” can imply that you are emotionally cold or even sexually uninterested (depending on the context). Definitely not what you want to say when you're just shivering at the bus stop!
The correct sentence: Mir ist kalt.
Let’s break it down:
mir = to me (Dative)
ist = is (3rd person singular form of sein)
kalt = cold
So the German structure literally means:
“To me is cold.”
This may sound strange in English, but it’s perfectly natural in German. In fact, this is how Germans express feelings related to physical sensations like cold, hot, hungry or thirsty.
Examples:
Mir ist kalt. = I am cold.
Mir ist heiß. = I am hot.
Mir ist schlecht. = I feel sick.
Mir ist langweilig. = I’m bored.
Quick tip from GermanMind:
Whenever you want to describe how you feel physically, German often uses the dative case + "sein" (to be) structure.
Use “mir”, not “ich”.
Don’t say “Ich bin kalt” unless you want to confuse someone.
About our “Sag es richtig!” campaign:
Every week, our German teachers and linguists at GermanMind share a common mistake – and show you how to say it right. This series is designed for:
beginners who want to build strong grammar foundations
intermediate learners who want to sound more natural
anyone who wants to avoid awkward moments in German
Follow us on Instagram @germanmind to see the weekly posts.
Want more in-depth explanations? Join us on our learning platform: GermanMind PRO
GermanMind Method = your shortcut to correct German
GermanMind Pro helps you:
speak naturally and correctly – even at A1 level
understand what Germans actually say (and why)
practise German grammar with real-life examples and simple English
learn flexibly with our online platform – anytime, anywhere
Ready to learn German – the smart way?
Book a German course or start learning with us today!
Whether you're learning online or at our school in Dublin, our next German courses are open now. From grammar to culture – we’ve got you covered.
🇩🇪 Visit www.germanmind.ie to learn more!!
