While es can simply mean "it" (referring to neuter nouns), es has many special uses that go far beyond its role as a simple pronoun.
Overview of es Functions
Function | Example | English |
Personal pronoun | Das Buch ist gut. Es ist interessant. | It is interesting. |
Impersonal (weather) | Es regnet. | It's raining. |
Impersonal (time) | Es ist spät. | It's late. |
"There is/are" | Es gibt viele Studenten. | There are many students. |
Placeholder subject | Es kommen viele Leute. | Many people are coming. |
Anticipatory (correlate) | Es ist wichtig, dass... | It's important that... |
Fixed expressions | Wie geht es dir? | How are you? |
1. Es as a Substitute for Clauses or Actions
Es can also replace an entire clause, action, or idea:
- A: Kommst du morgen? B: Ich weiß es nicht. (I don't know [whether I'm coming].)
- Du solltest das Geschirr abwaschen! — Warum hast du es noch nicht gemacht? (Why haven't you done it yet?)
2. Impersonal Es (Dummy Subject)
German requires every sentence to have a subject. When there is no real "doer" of the action, es serves as a grammatical placeholder, i.e., a "dummy subject."
Expressing weather conditions are a classic example of impersonal es:
- Es regnet.
- Es schneit.
- Es ist kalt.
Another example is using es in time expressions:
- Es ist drei Uhr.
- Es ist Montag.
- Es ist spät.
3. Es gibt and Es ist/sind (There is/are)
Es gibt (+ Accusative)
Es gibt means "there is" or "there are" and is used for general existence.
It is always singular regardless of what follows, and requires the accusative case.
- Es gibt viele Studenten an der Uni.
- Es gibt ein Problem.
- Was gibt es Neues?
Es ist/sind (+ Nominative)
Es ist/sind is used for specific situations or when pointing something out.
The verb agrees with the noun that follows.
- Es ist ein Mann an der Tür.
- Es sind viele Leute auf der Party.
Difference:
- Es gibt = general existence (in the world, in general)
- Es ist/sind = specific location or moment (at this place, right now)
4. Es as a Placeholder Subject (Position 1 Filler)
In German, es can fill Position 1 when the real subject comes later in the sentence. This creates emphasis on the real subject.
With es (emphasis on subject) | Without es (neutral) |
Es kommen viele Leute zur Party. | Viele Leute kommen zur Party. |
Es läuft ein Film im Kino. | Ein Film läuft im Kino. |
5. Anticipatory Es (Correlate)
When a dass-clause, infinitive clause, or indirect question is the true subject, es can serve as a placeholder anticipating this clause.
- Es ist wichtig, dass du kommst. (dass-clause)
- Es ist schwer, Deutsch zu lernen. (infinitive clause)
Some verbs use es to anticipate a following clause:
- Ich mag es, wenn die Sonne scheint.
- Wir lieben es, zusammen zu arbeiten.
- Er hasst es, früh aufzustehen.
6. Es with Verbs of Sensation
Certain verbs expressing physical or emotional sensations use es impersonally, often with a dative pronoun:
- Es geht mir gut.
- Es tut mir leid.
- Es ist mir kalt.
With some of these expressions, es can be omitted in day-to-day speech:
Es ist mir kalt. → Mir ist kalt.
7. Es with Sounds and Noises
When describing sounds without specifying the source, es is used:
- Es klingelt. (The doorbell is ringing. / Someone's ringing.)
- Es klopft. (Someone's knocking.)
- Es riecht gut. (It smells good.)
8. Fixed Expressions with Es
Some common expressions require es:
Example | Translation | Usage |
Wie geht es dir? | How are you? | Greeting |
Es tut mir leid. | I'm sorry. | Apology |
Es handelt sich um... | It's about... / It concerns... | Explanation |
Es kommt darauf an. | It depends. | Response |
Es lohnt sich. | It's worth it. | Evaluation |
Es geht um... | It's about... | Topic |
Es heißt, dass... | They say that... / It's said that... | Hearsay |
Ich bin es. | It's me. | Identification |