How to say "I am being X" in german

Question

How would you say "I am being X" in german. For example, how would I translate this: "What is Bruce Wayne doing?" "He is being Batman"

So far, one translation would be: "Was macht Bruce Wayne" "Er ist Batman"

However, this would translate back into English as "He is batman", which is slightly different from "He is being Batman". The difference is that although Bruce Wayne IS Batman, he is not always being Batman unless he is out fighting crime.

Some ideas I have: "Er verhält sich wie Batman" (He acts like batman)

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 16 '23 at 09:25

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The German language just doesn't have the same aspect system English has (in fact, it marks relative time and certain narrative usages, and not aspect).

The consequence of this is that, among other things, English progressives cannot be simply translated to German tenses. You have to use different verbs, or add adverbs or particles to convey the intended difference (or in certain cases something like the am-Progressiv or "Rheinische Verlaufsform", which is a more recently developing aspectual syntax, but rather colloquial).

In this case, @eslukas' suggestion er ist gerade Batman is perfectly fitting and natural.

answered Jun 16 '23 at 09:25

phipsgabler

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I have also heard "Er ist am Batman sein", but I don't know what this would be called, and it is most likely a wrong. But I have heard it, multiple times. – EagleFliesBanana Jun 16 '23 at 12:47
@323242323242 this is exactly the am-Progressiv. To me it sounds unusual in this phrase, though. – phipsgabler Jun 19 '23 at 07:27
Well "Frausein" is even listen in Duden. "Batman-sein" or "Batmansein" is not far fetched then? – EagleFliesBanana Jun 19 '23 at 08:24
That's not the problem. I find the usage of sein with am weird. But I can't really justify my perception. – phipsgabler Jun 19 '23 at 12:53

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 16 '23 at 09:20

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I would also say "Er verhält sich wie Batman" or maybe "Er ist gerade Batman" to highlight the fact that the property BEING BATMAN only applies to the current situation, but the former sounds more correct.

answered Jun 16 '23 at 09:20

eslukas

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"Er ist gerade Batman" is good. The other suggestions means "he is behaving like Batman" which isn't the intended meaning. – wonderbear Jun 16 '23 at 10:33

How to say "I am being X" in german

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