bekleiden
to hold
To hold an official office or a high position. This is a formal expression.
EXAMPLE
Sie bekleidet das Amt der Finanzministerin.
She holds the office of finance minister.
bekleiden
to hold / clad
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Meanings
bekleiden
to clad
To cover a surface with a material in order to protect or decorate it. This is often a technical term.
EXAMPLE
Die Innenwände des Gebäudes wurden mit Holz bekleidet.
The interior walls of the building were clad with wood.
bekleiden
to dress
To provide someone with clothing; to dress someone. This meaning is outdated or literary.
EXAMPLE
Die Königin wurde von ihren Zofen für den Ball bekleidet.
The queen was dressed by her maids for the ball.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Bekleiden' (to hold / clad) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'kleiden' in all conjugated forms and sentence types.
EXAMPLE
Er bekleidete viele Jahre lang eine wichtige Position in der Regierung.
He held an important position in the government for many years.
Formal usage
In the meaning 'to hold an office', 'bekleiden' (to hold) belongs to formal written language. It is often found in official, political, or professional contexts.
EXAMPLE
Wer wird das Amt des Bürgermeisters als Nächstes bekleiden?
Who will be the next to hold the office of mayor?
Typical collocations
The verb is used almost exclusively with abstract nouns that describe an official role. Typical objects are 'ein Amt' (an office), 'eine Position' (a position), 'eine Funktion' (a function), or 'eine Rolle' (a role).
EXAMPLE
Er bekleidet das Amt des Schatzmeisters im Verein.
He holds the office of treasurer in the association.
Outdated meaning
The literal meaning 'jemanden anziehen' (to dress someone) is very rare today and sounds outdated or literary. It is no longer used in everyday language.
EXAMPLE
In historischen Romanen werden die Damen oft von Zofen bekleidet.
In historical novels, the ladies are often dressed by maids.
Compare with
bekleiden vs versehen
to provide / to be mistaken
Versehen and bekleiden can both be used with an official office. Bekleiden emphasizes that someone holds the position, while versehen highlights the duties or service associated with it. Bekleiden is appropriate for the position itself, while versehen refers to carrying out its practical duties.
bekleiden
Sie bekleidet seit einem Jahr das Amt der Abteilungsleiterin.
She has held the office of department head for a year.
versehen
Sie versieht seit einem Jahr die Aufgaben der Abteilungsleitung.
She has been performing the duties of department head for a year.
In real life
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