bebauen
to build on
To construct buildings on a plot of land or an area.
EXAMPLE
Die Gemeinde plant, das freie Feld am Ortsrand zu bebauen.
The municipality plans to build on the open field at the edge of town.
bebauen
to build on / to cultivate
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Meanings
bebauen
to cultivate
To use land agriculturally by growing plants.
EXAMPLE
Der Bauer bebaut seine Felder jedes Jahr mit Mais und Weizen.
The farmer cultivates his fields with corn and wheat every year.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'bebauen' has the inseparable prefix 'be-'. This prefix turns the verb 'bauen' (to build) into a transitive verb that refers directly to an object, namely the area on which something is built or grown.
EXAMPLE
Die Stadt möchte das gesamte Ufer neu bebauen.
The city wants to redevelop the entire riverbank.
Sentence structure
'Bebauen' always needs an accusative object. This object is the area being worked on, for example a plot of land, a field, or farmland.
EXAMPLE
Der Landwirt bebaut den Acker hinter seinem Haus.
The farmer cultivates the field behind his house.
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether 'bebauen' means 'Gebäude errichten' (to construct buildings) or 'Pflanzen anbauen' (to grow plants). If it is about architecture, cities, or plots of land, the first meaning is intended. If it is about agriculture, fields, or plants, the second is intended.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Gebiet darf nicht bebaut werden, da es ein Naturschutzgebiet ist.
This area may not be built on because it is a nature reserve.
Use with 'mit'
In the agricultural meaning, the preposition 'mit' (with) is often used to say which plants are being grown. The plant is then in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Jahr bebauen wir das Feld mit Sonnenblumen.
This year we are cultivating the field with sunflowers.
Compare with
bebauen vs bauen
to build
Bauen focuses on the building being created or on the construction activity. Bebauen focuses on the plot of land or area where buildings are being built; this area directly serves as the object. That is why you build a house, but you bebauen a plot of land.
bebauen
Die Familie bebaut das Grundstück mit einem Haus.
The family is building a house on the plot of land.
bauen
Die Familie baut auf dem Grundstück ein Haus.
The family is building a house on the plot of land.
In real life
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