to attach / enclose
Loading your saved state.
to attach / enclose
To add something to a letter, an email, or a shipment; to enclose or attach something.
Bitte fügen Sie Ihrer Bewerbung einen Lebenslauf und Ihre Zeugnisse bei.
Please attach a résumé and your certificates to your application.
'Beifügen' (to attach/enclose) is a separable verb. The prefix 'bei-' comes at the end in a main clause, the verb stays together in a subordinate clause, and in the infinitive, 'zu' comes between 'bei' and 'fügen'.
Ich füge der E-Mail die Fotos bei.
I am attaching the photos to the email.
The thing to which something is added is in the dative. The thing that is added is in the accusative. So the pattern is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) beifügen.
Könnten Sie dem Paket bitte eine persönliche Notiz beifügen?
Could you please enclose a personal note with the package?
The verb 'beifügen' (to attach/enclose) is mainly used in formal written language, for example in business letters, emails, or applications.
Dem Vertrag sind die allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen beigefügt.
The general terms and conditions are attached to the contract.
Documents or digital files are often attached. Typical objects are: an attachment, a file, a photo, a résumé, or documents.
Ich habe meiner Nachricht eine PDF-Datei beigefügt.
I attached a PDF file to my message.
to add
Both words mean that something is added to something that already exists. Hinzufügen is general and also works for a list or a text; beifügen specifically refers to a document sent along with a letter, email, or shipment. Beifügen is therefore especially suitable for an attachment or enclosure.
Ich füge der E-Mail den ausgefüllten Antrag bei.
I am attaching the completed application to the email.
Ich füge der Einkaufsliste noch Milch hinzu.
I am adding milk to the shopping list.
