teilen
/ˈtaɪ̯lən/
The German verb for 'divide' is teilen.
teilen means to separate something into two or more parts. In mathematical contexts, the preposition 'durch' is used to express dividing a number by another.
Meaning: separate into two or more parts (verb)
Which one should you use?
While teilen can mean 'to divide into parts', it is also the standard verb for 'to share' (e.g., sharing a meal or a secret). When the meaning is to distribute or divide something into specific portions (like money or a cake), the separable verb aufteilen is often used instead of teilen.
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past tense of teilen is teilte. The past participle of teilen is geteilt, used to form the perfect tense (e.g., 'hat geteilt').
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtaɪ̯lən/
Did you know?
- The German verb teilen is a direct linguistic cousin to the English word 'deal', as both descend from the same Proto-West Germanic root.
- In the digital age, teilen is the standard term for 'sharing' a post or link on social media.
- In German philosophy, particularly in the works of Hegel, the distinction between teilen and trennen is crucial for describing the difference between dividing a whole and separating two distinct things.
Examples in context
- Teilen wir das Geld unter uns auf!Let's divide this money between you and me.This sentence is useful for showing how to divide money among people using teilen.Tatoeba #2608196 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #59617 by CK
- Teilen Sie das Geld unter sich auf!Divide the money among you.This sentence is useful for showing how to instruct someone to divide money among themselves using teilen.Tatoeba #2707725 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2550034 by sharptoothed
- Du hast vergessen, hier durch x zu teilen.You forgot to divide by X here.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to express dividing by a value in a mathematical context using teilen.Tatoeba #1987959 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1987950 by FlamingTofu
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Lass uns das Geld für das Geschenk aufteilen.Let's split the money for the gift.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are in the kitchen preparing a snack.
- JulianSoll ich den Apfel in zwei Teile teilen?Should I divide the apple into two parts?
- SarahJa, bitte teile ihn für uns.Yes, please divide it for us.
- JulianMöchtest du die größere Hälfte haben?Would you like the larger half?
- SarahNein, wir teilen ihn einfach gleichmäßig.No, let's just divide it evenly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry teilen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries teilen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
