sich befreunden mit
to befriend
To begin and build a friendship with someone.
EXAMPLE
In der neuen Schule hat er sich schnell mit seinen Klassenkameraden befreundet.
At the new school, he quickly befriended his classmates.
befreunden
to befriend
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Meanings
Usage tips
Sentence structure and usage
This verb is reflexive and is always used with the preposition 'mit' (with) and the dative. The fixed structure is: 'sich mit jemandem befreunden' (to befriend someone).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich im Urlaub mit einer netten Familie aus Spanien befreundet.
I befriended a nice family from Spain while on vacation.
Word formation
The verb is derived from the noun 'der Freund' (friend). The prefix 'be-' turns the noun into a verb that describes the process of beginning a friendship.
EXAMPLE
Es ist nicht immer einfach, als Erwachsener neue Freunde zu finden.
It is not always easy to make new friends as an adult.
Process vs. state
'Sich befreunden' (to befriend / to become friends) describes the process of becoming friends. The state of already being friends is expressed with the past participle: 'mit jemandem befreundet sein' (to be friends with someone).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben uns vor zehn Jahren befreundet.
We became friends ten years ago.
In real life
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