What does it mean word for word?
der Gruppe means the group, in the dative and beitreten means to join or become a member.
Which one should you use?
beitreten is for membership, while mitmachen is for joining in an activity or a game, as in Willst du in unserer Gruppe mitmachen? Schließ dich der Gruppe an! and Komm in die Gruppe! are casual ways to tell someone to join.
How does it change in a sentence?
beitreten takes the dative, which is why the feminine die Gruppe becomes der Gruppe. It is a separable verb, so in the simple past the prefix moves to the end, as in trat der Gruppe bei.
How do you pronounce it?
der Gruppe beitreten is pronounced /deːr ˈɡʁʊpə ˈbaɪ̯ˌtʁeːtən/, with the stress on the first syllable of each of the last two words.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often say die Gruppe beitreten. The verb needs the dative, so say der Gruppe beitreten.
Did you know?
- The word Gruppe is a linguistic relative of the German word Kropf, which means 'goitre' or 'crop'.
- Germany has one of the highest numbers of registered clubs Vereine per capita in the world.
- The verb beitreten literally describes the physical act of 'stepping' treten 'near' bei a group, treating membership as a physical movement.
Examples in context
- Herr Müller, treten Sie bitte unserer Gruppe bei.Mr. Müller, please join our group.
- Hört mal, ich möchte euch bitten, der Gruppe beizutreten.Listen up, I'd like to ask you to join the group.
- Liebe Leute, wer von euch will in unserer Gruppe mitmachen?Dear people, who wants to join our group?
- Er möchte der Gruppe beitreten.He wants to join the group.
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are talking about a local hiking club.
- HannahFelix, möchtest du der Gruppe beitreten?Felix, do you want to join the group?
- FelixJa, das klingt sehr interessant.Yes, that sounds very interesting.
- HannahIch helfe dir beim Beitritt.I will help you with joining.
- FelixDanke, Hannah, das ist nett.Thanks, Hannah, that is kind.
