01
anbieten
to offer
To make something available to someone for purchase, use, or consumption.
example
Darf ich Ihnen ein Stück Kuchen anbieten?
May I offer you a piece of cake?
anbieten
to offer
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anbieten' (to offer) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' goes at the end in main clauses, but remains attached to the verb in subordinate clauses. In the infinitive, 'zu' comes between 'an' and 'bieten'.
EXAMPLE
Er bietet seinen Gästen immer Wein an.
He always offers his guests wine.
Sentence structure with dative
This verb is very often used with two objects. The person receiving the offer is in the dative, and the thing being offered is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Mein Kollege hat mir seine Hilfe angeboten.
My colleague offered me his help.
Reflexive usage
When a person 'sich anbietet' (offers themself), it means that they voluntarily make their help available. It is often followed by an infinitive construction with 'zu' that describes the activity.
EXAMPLE
Ein freundlicher Herr bot sich an, meinen schweren Koffer zu tragen.
A friendly gentleman offered to carry my heavy suitcase.
Context clue: reflexive
When a situation or thing 'sich anbietet' (suggests itself), it means that it represents a good opportunity. The subject here is not a person actively helping, but the opportunity itself.
EXAMPLE
Da wir schon in der Stadt sind, bietet es sich an, auch gleich einzukaufen.
Since we're already in town, it makes sense to do the shopping right away too.
Compare with
anbieten vs führen
to lead
'führen' and 'anbieten' can both mean that a business has certain goods or services. 'führen' sounds more like the regular range: 'Ein Laden führt eine Marke oder ein Produkt' (a shop carries a brand or product). 'anbieten' puts more emphasis on something being available to customers, for purchase or use. The words can be confused because both fit in shops and services. If you want to say what is permanently in the product range, 'führen' works well. If you want to show what customers can get, 'anbieten' is more natural.
anbieten
Sofia bietet den Gästen Kaffee und Kuchen an.
Sofia offers the guests coffee and cake.
führen
Der Supermarkt führt diese Teesorte nur im Winter.
The supermarket carries this type of tea only in winter.
In real life
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