Verben mit dem Präfix be- | danken und bedanken: Was ist der Unterschied? | Präfixe im Deutschen

Summary

This video explores the impact of the prefix 'B' on German verbs, explaining how it changes their meanings. Through various word pairs, such as 'danken' (to thank) vs. 'denken' (to think), 'bearbeiten' (to edit) vs. 'arbeiten' (to work), and others, the video highlights nuances in usage, case requirements (dative vs. accusative), and contextual differences. The video includes helpful dialogues to showcase these verbs in real-life situations, making it an engaging way to understand these subtle distinctions in the German language. Viewers are encouraged to interact and share their own word pairs.

Takeaways

• 😀 The prefix 'B' in German is inseparable, meaning it cannot be separated from the root verb.
• 😀 The verb 'danken' (to thank) is used with the dative case, and when specifying the reason for thanks, 'für' (for) is used with the accusative case.
• 😀 The verb 'arbeiten' (to work) refers to general work, while 'bearbeiten' (to edit) means to modify, check, or make changes to something.
• 😀 'Zahlen' (to pay) is often used interchangeably with similar meanings in German, but it can be used for both paying money and asking about payment status.
• 😀 'Denken' (to think) refers to logical thought, while 'überlegen' (to consider) means to carefully think over a decision or option.
• 😀 The verb 'antworten' (to answer) is used with the dative case, while 'beantworten' (to respond) is used with the accusative case.
• 😀 The prefix 'B' is unstressed in words like 'bedanken' (to thank) and 'bearbeiten' (to edit), and is always pronounced without stress.
• 😀 In spoken German, many pairs of verbs like 'zahlen' and 'beantworten' are used interchangeably without significant meaning change.
• 😀 'Bedanken' (to thank) is reflexive when emphasizing the person being thanked, while 'danken' focuses more on the action of thanking.
• 😀 Verbs with the prefix 'B' can change meaning based on context, as seen with 'bedrohen' (to threaten) and 'drohen' (to threaten), with case differences impacting their usage.

Q & A

What does the prefix 'B' do to the meaning of the root word?

The prefix 'B' in German often changes the meaning of the root word. It can add nuances, such as making the verb more specific, like indicating a direction, purpose, or transformation.

What is the difference between 'danken' and 'denken' in German?

'Danken' means 'to thank' and is used with the dative case, while 'denken' means 'to think'. The use of different cases (dative for 'danken' and nominative/accusative for 'denken') marks their grammatical difference.

How do the verbs 'danken' and 'sich danken' differ in usage?

'Danken' is used when you express gratitude directly, often with the dative case (e.g., 'I thank you'). On the other hand, 'sich danken' is reflexive and focuses on the action of thanking, usually in a more formal context.

What is the role of the preposition 'für' with 'danken'?

The preposition 'für' is used with 'danken' when specifying the reason or purpose for the thanks, as in 'I thank you for your help.' It requires the accusative case.

How is the prefix 'be-' used with the verb 'arbeiten' (to work)?

When 'be-' is added to 'arbeiten' (to work), it changes the meaning to indicate a more focused or specific kind of work. For example, 'bearbeiten' (to edit or work on something) implies changing or improving something.

What is the difference between 'zahlen' and 'bezahlen'?

'Zahlen' generally means 'to pay' and is often used in reference to paying money, such as 'I pay rent.' 'Bezahlen' is a more specific term for paying a particular amount or paying a person for something.

What case follows the verb 'antworten' (to answer)?

'Antworten' takes the dative case, so you would say 'I answer you' ('Ich antworte dir'), not 'Ich antworte dich.'

What is the grammatical distinction between 'drohen' and 'bedrohen'?

'Drohen' takes the dative case and is used when someone is threatening someone else in a more general way (e.g., 'The landlord is threatening me'). 'Bedrohen' requires the accusative case and is used for a more direct, immediate threat (e.g., 'He is threatening me with a weapon').

Why is the prefix 'be-' considered inseparable in some verbs?

The prefix 'be-' is inseparable in certain verbs, meaning it cannot be separated from the root word. This is because it often conveys a specific meaning that needs to stay attached to the verb for clarity, such as in 'bearbeiten' (to edit).

Can 'denken' and 'überlegen' be used interchangeably?

'Denken' means 'to think' in a general sense, often about an idea, while 'überlegen' means 'to consider' and implies a deeper thought process or weighing of options. While related, 'überlegen' tends to be used when thinking involves careful consideration or evaluation.