German Phrase
Was ist denn Mbps?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the definition of the technical term "Mbps" – the unit that measures how many megabits of data are transferred each second. It is a common question when people compare internet plans or discuss network performance.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal conversations about internet speed, mobile data, streaming quality, or any situation where you need to clarify what a data‑rate abbreviation means.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WasistdennMbps?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about something unknown; it triggers a question word order with the verb directly after.
ist (verb "sein")
Third‑person singular present of "sein"; links the subject (the thing being asked about) to its definition.
denn (modal particle)
Adds a casual, slightly inquisitive tone, similar to "then" or "actually" in English; it does not change the literal meaning.
Mbps (abbreviation)
Stands for "Megabit pro Sekunde"; in German it is usually pronounced by naming each letter: "E‑m‑B‑e‑P‑e‑E‑s".
🗨In Conversation
Was ist denn Mbps?
What does Mbps mean?
Das steht für Megabit pro Sekunde – die Einheit, mit der die Datenübertragungsrate gemessen wird.
It stands for megabits per second – the unit used to measure data transfer speed.
✕Common Mistakes
Was ist weil Mbps?
"Denn" is a modal particle, not a conjunction here; using it as "weil" would be wrong.
Was ist denn Mebps?
Do not try to pronounce the abbreviation as a single word; say each letter.
Was sind denn Mbps?
The verb must stay singular because the subject is the abbreviation, not a plural noun.
↔Alternatives
Was bedeutet Mbps?
What does Mbps mean?
Was heißt Mbps?
What is Mbps called?
Was ist mit Mbps gemeint?
What is meant by Mbps?
Cultural Tip
In German tech talk, the particle "denn" makes the question sound friendly and a bit informal – perfect for a chat with friends or a colleague. In a formal presentation you would drop "denn" and simply ask "Was ist Mbps?". Also, Germans usually spell out the letters of abbreviations ("E‑m‑B‑e‑P‑e‑E‑s") rather than trying to pronounce them as a word.