German Phrase
Sie sind meistens bei den Taschentüchern.
Meaning
The sentence means 'They are usually near the tissues.' It can also be understood as a polite 'You are usually near the tissues' depending on whether 'Sie' is formal you or they. The phrase points out a typical location.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to tell someone where something (e.g., a product, an object) is normally found, especially in a shop, office, or home setting. It is handy for giving directions or describing habitual placement.
✦Grammar Breakdown
SiesindmeistensbeidenTaschentüchern
Sie (personal pronoun)
Can be either the formal 'you' (singular/plural) or the third‑person plural 'they'. Context decides the meaning.
sind (verb sein)
Present‑tense form of 'sein' for 2nd person formal or 3rd person plural.
meistens (adverb)
An adverb of frequency meaning 'usually' or 'most of the time'. It does not affect case.
bei + dative
The preposition 'bei' always governs the dative case and expresses location near or at.
den (definite article, dative plural)
Dative plural form of the definite article 'die'.
Taschentüchern (noun, dative plural)
Plural of 'das Taschentuch' (tissue). In the dative after 'bei' it becomes 'Taschentüchern'.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, wo finde ich die Taschentücher?
Excuse me, where can I find the tissues?
Sie sind meistens bei den Taschentüchern.
They are usually near the tissues.
✕Common Mistakes
Sie sind meistens auf den Taschentüchern.
‘auf’ requires the accusative or dative depending on motion, but it does not convey the same meaning as ‘bei’ for ‘near’. Use ‘bei’ with dative.
Sie sind meistens bei die Taschentücher.
After ‘bei’ you need the dative article ‘den’, not the accusative ‘die’.
Sie ist meistens bei den Taschentüchern.
‘Sie’ is plural (or formal you), so the verb must be ‘sind’, not ‘ist’.
↔Alternatives
Meistens liegen sie bei den Taschentüchern.
Usually they lie near the tissues.
Sie befinden sich meistens bei den Taschentüchern.
They are usually located near the tissues.
Normalerweise sind sie bei den Taschentüchern.
Normally they are near the tissues.
Cultural Tip
In German supermarkets and offices, tissues (Taschentücher) are often placed close to the checkout counters, in the bathroom, or next to the coffee machine. Mentioning the typical spot helps the listener locate the item quickly. Remember that 'bei' is preferred over 'an' or 'auf' when you talk about being close to something, especially when the object is not a surface.