01
befördern
to transport
To transport people, animals, or goods from one place to another.
example
Der Bus befördert täglich Hunderte von Pendlern in die Stadt.
The bus transports hundreds of commuters into the city every day.
befördern
to transport / promote
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'befördern' (to transport / promote) is inseparable. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses and is never placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Die Fähre befördert Autos auf die Insel.
The ferry transports cars to the island.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the object: if goods or people are being transported (e.g., by bus or ship), it is about transport. If it is a person in a professional context who receives a higher position, it is about a promotion at work.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Seilbahn befördert bis zu 500 Personen pro Stunde.
The new cable car transports up to 500 people per hour.
Typical collocations
In the transport context, 'befördern' (to transport) is often combined with means of transport or places. Typical phrases are 'Passagiere befördern' (to transport passengers), 'Waren befördern' (to transport goods), or 'jemanden von A nach B befördern' (to transport someone from A to B).
EXAMPLE
Dieses Schiff befördert hauptsächlich Container.
This ship mainly transports containers.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
When someone receives a new position, the new role is given with the preposition 'zu' and the dative. The pattern is: 'jemanden zu etwas befördern' (to promote someone to something).
EXAMPLE
Man hat sie zur Direktorin der Marketingabteilung befördert.
She was promoted to director of the marketing department.
Compare with
befördern vs bringen
to bring
'bringen' and 'befördern' can both mean that people or things get from one place to another. 'bringen' is the normal everyday word and fits small, concrete situations: 'ein Kind zur Schule bringen' (to take a child to school), 'ein Paket zum Nachbarn bringen' (to take a package to the neighbor). 'befördern' sounds more formal and is often used when it is about organized transport, for example by buses, trains, companies, or services. Learners may confuse the words because both express transport. In everyday language, 'bringen' usually sounds more natural; 'befördern' is more appropriate for traffic, logistics, or official texts.
befördern
Der Bus befördert täglich viele Fahrgäste ins Stadtzentrum.
The bus transports many passengers to the city center every day.
bringen
Der Vater bringt seine Tochter jeden Morgen zur Schule.
The father takes his daughter to school every morning.
In real life
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