01
beiseite
aside
Expresses movement to the side in order to make room or get out of the way.
example
Er trat einen Schritt beiseite, um die Dame vorbeizulassen.
He stepped aside to let the lady pass.
beiseite
aside
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Word composition
The adverb 'beiseite' (aside) is made up of 'bei' and 'Seite' (side). The literal meaning 'to the side' is the basis for all its uses.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte den Stuhl beiseite stellen?
Can you please put the chair aside?
Use with verbs
'Beiseite' (aside) is often combined with a verb and then behaves like a separable prefix that stands at the end of the sentence. Examples are 'beiseitelegen' (to put aside), 'beiseiteschieben' (to push aside), or 'beiseitetreten' (to step aside).
EXAMPLE
Er legte das Buch beiseite und hörte mir zu.
He put the book aside and listened to me.
Typical combination: saving
In the meaning 'to keep something', the combination with 'legen' (to put) is very common, especially when it is about money. 'Geld beiseitelegen' (to put money aside) is a fixed expression for 'to save'.
EXAMPLE
Sie legt jeden Monat 100 Euro für den Urlaub beiseite.
She puts 100 euros aside every month for the vacation.
Fixed expression
The expression 'Scherz beiseite' (joking aside) is very common. It is used to switch from a joke to a serious topic.
EXAMPLE
Scherz beiseite, wir müssen jetzt wirklich eine Lösung für das Problem finden.
Joking aside, we really need to find a solution to the problem now.
Compare with
beiseite vs sparen
to save
'sparen' and 'beiseite' can both be important when money is involved and saved for later. 'sparen' is the verb and generally means not spending money. 'beiseite' is not a verb; it is used with verbs like 'legen' or 'schaffen': you put money aside or manage to put some money aside. That sounds more specific, as if you are setting a certain amount aside for later. They can be confused because both can express the same idea. But you do not say 'ich beiseite Geld' on its own; you say 'ich lege Geld beiseite'.
beiseite
Er legt jeden Freitag zwanzig Euro beiseite, damit er die Reparatur bezahlen kann.
He puts twenty euros aside every Friday so he can pay for the repair.
sparen
Zum Kaufen eines neuen Fahrrads spart Lena seit dem Frühling.
Lena has been saving since spring to buy a new bicycle.
In real life
Loading video examples...