01
akzeptieren
to accept
To agree to take something that is offered; to accept an offer.
example
Ich akzeptiere Ihre Entschuldigung.
I accept your apology.
akzeptieren
to accept
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Verbs ending in -ieren
'Akzeptieren' (to accept) is a verb ending in '-ieren'. These verbs are always inseparable and form their past participle without 'ge-'. So it is 'akzeptiert', not 'geakzeptiert'.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die neuen Regeln schnell akzeptiert.
He quickly accepted the new rules.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'annehmen' (to accept), 'akzeptieren' (to accept) is often combined with things that one accepts formally. Typical examples are: 'Bedingungen akzeptieren' (to accept conditions), 'einen Vorschlag akzeptieren' (to accept a suggestion), or 'eine Zahlungsmethode akzeptieren' (to accept a payment method).
EXAMPLE
Akzeptieren Sie hier auch Kreditkarten?
Do you also accept credit cards here?
Sentence structure with 'dass'
To express acceptance of a fact or situation, 'akzeptieren' (to accept) is very often combined with a 'dass' clause. The structure is: 'akzeptieren, dass ...' (to accept that ...).
EXAMPLE
Sie musste akzeptieren, dass sie den Zug verpasst hatte.
She had to accept that she had missed the train.
Fixed expression
A very common and important expression is 'jemanden so akzeptieren, wie er/sie ist' (to accept someone as he/she is). It expresses tolerance and recognition of another person's personality.
EXAMPLE
In einer guten Freundschaft akzeptiert man sich, wie man ist.
In a good friendship, you accept each other as you are.
Compare with
akzeptieren vs nehmen
to take
'nehmen' and 'akzeptieren' can both mean that you accept something. In such situations, 'nehmen' is often more concrete: you accept money, a gift, an apology, or an offer. 'akzeptieren' sounds a little more general and can also mean that you recognize a fact, a rule, or a person. When it is about something concrete that someone offers, 'nehmen' often sounds more natural. When it is about agreement, rules, or a difficult situation, 'akzeptieren' fits better.
akzeptieren
Beim Termin akzeptiert Herr Schwarz die neue Regel.
At the appointment, Mr. Schwarz accepts the new rule.
nehmen
Sie nimmt die Entschuldigung ihres Freundes an.
She accepts her friend's apology.
In real life
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