geben
[ˈɡeːb(ə)n]
The English verb 'give' is translated into German as geben. Wiktionary also lists abgeben.
Meaning: transfer the possession of something to someone else (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| geben | [ˈɡeːb(ə)n] (narrow) [ˈɡeːbm̩] (Germany, narrow) |
| abgeben | [ˈap.ɡeːbn̩] (narrow) [ˈap.ɡeːbm̩] (narrow) |
The primary meaning of these terms is to transfer the possession of something to someone else. You can use the related verb zurückgeben to say 'give back' or the verb aufgeben to mean 'give up'.
Which one should you use?
While geben is the general verb for 'to give', the separable verb abgeben is used more specifically when you mean to hand something in, such as a package or an assignment.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present form of geben is gibt. The simple past tense is gab, and the past participle is gegeben. When using the imperative to address someone formally, you use the infinitive: Geben Sie…
Did you know?
- While 'give' in English is often used in the phrase 'give a sigh', German uses the verb geben in many unexpected idiomatic expressions, such as jemandem einen Korb geben, which literally means 'to give someone a basket' but actually means 'to reject someone's romantic advances'.
- In certain German contexts, the word geben is used in the impersonal construction Es gibt, which means 'there is' or 'there are'.
- The German word geben is a direct cognate of the English verb 'give', as they both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root *gʰebʰ-.
Examples in context
- Geben wir es ihm!Let's give it to him.This sentence demonstrates the use of geben in a suggestion.Tatoeba #11815229 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3907265 by CH
- Sie geben nie auf.They never give up.This sentence shows the use of geben within the phrasal verb meaning 'to give up'.Tatoeba #1632721 by Sudajaengi, translation #1228001 by CM
- Geben Sie mir das!Give that to me.This sentence shows how to use geben as a formal imperative.Tatoeba #2649916 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2649035 by CK
- Bitte geben Sie mir das Buch.Please give me the book.
- Der Direktor überreichte ihm die Auszeichnung.The director presented him with the award.
- Sie lassen Ihnen den Vertrag zukommen.They will send the contract to you.
- Kannst du mir bitte das Glas geben?Can you please give me the glass?
- Er hat mir den Schlüssel ausgehändigt.He handed me the key.
- Ich schenke dir diese Blumen.I'm giving you these flowers as a gift.
- Kannst du mir bitte das Salz reichen?Could you please pass me the salt?
- 831 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are in the kitchen.
- JuliaKannst du mir bitte das Salz geben?Can you please give me the salt?
- JulianJa, hier bitte.Yes, here you go.
- JuliaDanke, Julian.Thanks, Julian.
- JulianGerne.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “give” translations and entries geben, abgeben, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abgeben, geben, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
