German Phrase
Ja, heb die Hand.
Meaning
The speaker confirms and tells the listener to raise their hand. It’s a short, direct way to give the instruction after a question or request.
When to use
Common in classrooms, meetings, or any situation where a teacher, trainer, or moderator wants participants to signal they have a question or to get attention.
✦Grammar Breakdown
JahebdieHand
Ja (affirmation)
Used to agree or confirm something, similar to 'yes' in English.
heb (imperative of heben)
Second‑person singular informal command of the verb *heben* ‘to raise’. The stem ‘heb‑’ is used without the ending ‘‑e’ in spoken German.
die (accusative article)
Definite article in the accusative case for feminine nouns like *Hand*.
Hand (noun)
A feminine noun meaning ‘hand’. In the phrase it is the direct object of *heben*.
🗨In Conversation
Kannst du bitte deine Hand heben?
Can you please raise your hand?
Ja, heb die Hand.
Yes, raise the hand.
✕Common Mistakes
Ja, habe die Hand.
‘habe’ is the present‑tense form of *haben* and does not convey a command.
Ja, heb der Hand.
The noun *Hand* is feminine; the correct accusative article is *die*, not *der*.
↔Alternatives
Ja, ich hebe meine Hand.
Yes, I’m raising my hand.
Ja, ich hebe die Hand.
Yes, I raise the hand.
Ja, bitte die Hand heben.
Yes, please raise the hand.
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking classrooms the informal *du* form is used with students, so the imperative *heb* is natural. In a formal setting (e.g., a business meeting) you would say *Ja, heben Sie die Hand.* Also, Germans tend to keep the hand raised only briefly – just long enough to be seen.