Guten Tag! Are you interested in learning how to say “divide” in German? In this guide, we will explore the various ways to express this concept in both formal and informal contexts. Whether you’re a language enthusiast, a traveler, or simply want to expand your vocabulary, this article has got you covered!
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Formal Ways to Say “Divide” in German
If you’re in a formal setting or wish to use polite language, the following phrases will be appropriate:
1. Teilen
The most common and general term for “divide” in German is “teilen.” You can use it in sentences like:
“Bitte teilen Sie das Dokument in mehrere Abschnitte.” (Please divide the document into multiple sections.)
“Ich teile das Erbe gleichmäßig.” (I divide the inheritance equally.)
2. Aufteilen
If you want to emphasize the action of dividing or splitting something, “aufteilen” is a suitable word to use:
“Wir müssen das Gebiet in verschiedene Zonen aufteilen.” (We need to divide the area into different zones.)
“Die Firma möchte den Gewinn gerecht aufteilen.” (The company wants to divide the profit fairly.)
3. Spalten
In specific contexts, such as dividing hair into sections, you can use the verb “spalten”:
“Der Friseur wird mein Haar in mehrere Strähnen spalten.” (The hairdresser will divide my hair into several sections.)
Informal Ways to Say “Divide” in German
When speaking with friends, family, or in casual situations, you have more flexibility in your choice of words. Here are some informal ways to express “divide” in German:
1. Teilen
Just like in the formal context, “teilen” is commonly used in informal conversation as well:
“Kannst du bitte die Pizza teilen?” (Can you please divide the pizza?)
“Wir teilen uns die Kosten für den Urlaub.” (We divide the expenses for the vacation among us.)
2. Aufteilen
Similar to the formal usage, “aufteilen” works well informally too:
“Wir sollten die Aufgaben gerecht aufteilen.” (We should divide the tasks fairly.)
“Lass uns das Geld für das Geschenk aufteilen.” (Let’s split the money for the gift.)
3. Zerlegen
If you want to emphasize the act of breaking or splitting something, you can use “zerlegen” in an informal context:
“Lass uns den Kuchen zerlegen und jeder nimmt sich ein Stück.” (Let’s divide the cake and everyone takes a piece.)
Regional Variations
The German language showcases some regional variations. While the words mentioned above are widely understood across the German-speaking regions, it’s worth mentioning a few regional alternatives:
1. “Tschalmen” (Bavarian dialect)
In Bavaria, the verb “tschalmen” is sometimes used instead of “teilen” to mean “to divide.” However, please note that this term is specific to the Bavarian dialect and might not be familiar to everyone:
“Mir miassn de Oabeid tschalmen.” (We have to divide the work.)
2. “Widen” (Swiss German)
In Swiss German, you may come across the verb “widen” as another variation of “teilen.” Keep in mind that this is used predominantly in Switzerland:
“I wott d’Schoggi widerdeele.” (I want to divide the chocolate.)
Practice Makes Perfect
Learning new vocabulary is always fun, but putting it into practice is crucial for mastery. Here are a few exercises to help you solidify your understanding of how to say “divide” in German:
Exercise 1:
Look around your room and think of items you can divide. Try forming sentences using the various German words:
- Teilen: Ich teile die Äpfel in zwei Hälften. (I am dividing the apples into two halves.)
- Aufteilen: Wir sollten das Spielzeug gerecht aufteilen. (We should divide the toys fairly.)
- Spalten: Die Künstlerin wird den Kuchen in Schichten spalten. (The artist will divide the cake into layers.)
- Zerlegen: Ich zerlege das Puzzle in seine Einzelteile. (I am breaking down the puzzle into its individual pieces.)
Exercise 2:
Imagine you are planning a trip with friends. Create a conversation where you discuss how to divide the costs using different German phrases:
Person A: “Lasst uns die Ausgaben für das Hotelzimmer aufteilen.” (Let’s divide the expenses for the hotel room.)
Person B: “Ja, wir sollten sie gerecht teilen, damit es für alle fair ist.” (Yes, we should divide them equally so that it’s fair for everyone.)
Person C: “Ich schlage vor, wir spalten auch die Kosten für die Mahlzeiten.” (I suggest we also split the costs for meals.)
Congratulations! You’ve now learned various ways to say “divide” in German. Remember, practice is essential to reinforce your newly acquired knowledge. Viel Glück (Good luck)!
