01
begleiten
to accompany
To go or travel with someone to a place; to keep someone company.
example
Kannst du mich bitte zum Bahnhof begleiten?
Can you please accompany me to the train station?
begleiten
to accompany
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Begleiten' (to accompany) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' stays firmly attached to the verb in all tenses and sentence types and is never separated.
EXAMPLE
Er begleitet seine Tochter jeden Morgen zur Schule.
He accompanies his daughter to school every morning.
Always with accusative
The verb 'begleiten' (to accompany) always requires a direct object in the accusative. You always accompany 'jemanden' (someone) or 'etwas' (something).
EXAMPLE
Der Hund begleitet seinen Besitzer überallhin.
The dog accompanies its owner everywhere.
In a musical context
When talking about music, the instrument is often named with the prepositions 'am' or 'mit'. Typical phrases are 'jemanden am Klavier begleiten' (to accompany someone on the piano) or 'ein Lied mit der Gitarre begleiten' (to accompany a song with the guitar).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat eine wunderschöne Stimme und er begleitet sie am Flügel.
She has a beautiful voice, and he accompanies her on the grand piano.
Passive with 'von'
To express that an event goes together with another circumstance, the passive is often used. The accompanying circumstance is then introduced with the preposition 'von'.
EXAMPLE
Die Reform wurde von heftigen Protesten begleitet.
The reform was accompanied by fierce protests.
Compare with
begleiten vs führen
to lead
'führen' and 'begleiten' can both mean that you go with a person to a place. The difference is in the focus. 'führen' means that someone knows the way and guides the other person. So the person being guided follows. 'begleiten' means that you go or travel together with someone and give them company or support. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases two people are on the way together. If the route or guidance is important, 'führen' fits. If going along with someone is important, 'begleiten' fits.
begleiten
Zur Sicherheit begleitet der Vater sein Kind zur Schule.
For safety, the father accompanies his child to school.
führen
Die Mitarbeiterin führt den Besucher zum Besprechungsraum.
The employee guides the visitor to the meeting room.
In real life
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