German Phrase
Das ist A, B, C, D, F.
Meaning
The sentence points out a set of items – in this case the letters A, B, C, D and F – and says that they are the thing being referred to. It is a simple way to enumerate things in German.
When to use
Use this structure when you want to identify or list several objects, ideas, or names after a demonstrative ‘das’. It works well in presentations, classroom settings, or when giving directions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DasistABCDF
Das (demonstrative pronoun)
‘Das’ points to something specific and is neuter; it can be translated as ‘that’ or ‘this’.
ist (sein, 3rd person singular)
‘ist’ is the present‑tense form of ‘sein’ for singular subjects. With a plural list you would normally use ‘sind’.
Listing items
When you name several items, German usually separates them with commas and adds ‘und’ before the final element.
Letter names
Each letter is spoken as its name (A = ‘ah’, B = ‘beh’, C = ‘tseh’, D = ‘deh’, F = ‘eff’).
🗨In Conversation
Das ist A, B, C, D, F.
That is A, B, C, D, F.
Danke, das hilft mir beim Lernen der Buchstaben.
Thanks, that helps me with learning the letters.
✕Common Mistakes
Das ist A, B, C, D und F.
With a plural list the verb should be ‘sind’ to match the plural subject.
Das sind A, B, C, D, F.
German normally uses ‘und’ before the final item; leaving it out can sound choppy.
Das ist ay, bee, see, dee, ef.
Don’t pronounce the letters as English sounds; use the German names (A = ‘ah’, B = ‘beh’, etc.).
↔Alternatives
Das sind A, B, C, D und F.
Those are A, B, C, D and F.
Hier sind A, B, C, D und F.
Here are A, B, C, D and F.
Cultural Tip
German prefers the plural verb ‘sind’ when the subject is a list of multiple items. Also, the conjunction ‘und’ is normally placed before the last element of a list; omitting it can sound abrupt or informal. In formal contexts you’ll often hear the full list with ‘und’ and the appropriate verb agreement.