sich begeben
to proceed
To go to a specific place or move there. This phrasing is elevated or formal.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Abendessen begaben sich die Gäste in den Salon.
After dinner, the guests proceeded to the salon.
begeben
to proceed / happen / renounce
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Meanings
es begab sich, dass
it came to pass
An outdated, literary expression used to introduce a story or event; it happened that.
EXAMPLE
Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit, dass ein Gebot von dem Kaiser Augustus ausging.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.
sich einer Sache begeben
to renounce
To give something up; to relinquish a right or possession. This use is very formal and rare today.
EXAMPLE
Der Thronfolger musste sich seines Anspruchs auf den Thron begeben.
The heir to the throne had to renounce his claim to the throne.
Usage tips
Reflexive verb
In the meanings commonly used today, 'begeben' is almost always used reflexively. This means it needs a reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, uns, euch) that matches the subject.
EXAMPLE
Ich begebe mich jetzt auf den Heimweg.
I am setting off for home now.
Register: elevated
The phrase 'sich an einen Ort begeben' is a formal or literary way of saying 'an einen Ort gehen' (to go to a place). It is rarely used in normal everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Der Präsident begab sich zu den wartenden Journalisten.
The president proceeded to the waiting journalists.
Typical prepositions
'Sich begeben' is often combined with prepositions that indicate direction. Common phrases are 'sich auf den Weg begeben' (to set off), 'sich in Gefahr begeben' (to put oneself in danger), or 'sich an die Arbeit begeben' (to get to work).
EXAMPLE
Nach einer kurzen Pause begab er sich wieder an die Arbeit.
After a short break, he got back to work.
Register: outdated
The expression 'es begab sich, dass ...' (it came to pass that ...) is outdated and sounds like something from a fairy tale or an old story. It is used to introduce an event solemnly.
EXAMPLE
Und es begab sich, dass ein Wanderer des Weges kam.
And it came to pass that a wanderer came along the road.
Sentence structure with genitive
In the rare meaning of 'auf etwas verzichten' (to give something up/renounce something), 'sich begeben' takes the genitive. The thing being given up is in the genitive.
EXAMPLE
Er musste sich seines Amtes begeben.
He had to relinquish his office.
Compare with
begeben vs gehen
to go
Gehen and sich begeben can both express purposeful movement to a place. Gehen is the neutral everyday choice, while sich begeben sounds elevated or formal and is always used reflexively. That is why sich begeben is particularly suitable in official instructions.
begeben
Nach der Pause begeben sich die Gäste bitte zurück in den Saal.
After the break, guests are kindly requested to return to the hall.
gehen
Nach der Pause gehen wir zurück in den Saal.
After the break, we are going back to the hall.
In real life
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