01
bekommen
to get / receive
To receive something as a gift, by post, or in some other way. Synonymous with 'erhalten' (to receive).
example
Zu Weihnachten habe ich viele Geschenke bekommen.
I got many presents for Christmas.
bekommen
to get / receive
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 07
Usage tips
False friend
Careful: 'bekommen' does not mean 'to become', but 'to get' or 'to receive'. This is one of the most common mistakes for English speakers. To express 'to become', you use the verb 'werden' (to become).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe eine E-Mail von meinem Professor bekommen.
I got an email from my professor.
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'be-' is inseparable. This means it stays firmly attached to the verb 'kommen' (to come) in all tenses and sentence types and is never placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Sie bekommt morgen ihr Zeugnis.
She gets her report card tomorrow.
Typical objects
In the basic meaning 'to receive', 'bekommen' is combined with many things that one receives. Common examples are: 'einen Brief bekommen' (to get a letter), 'eine Nachricht bekommen' (to get a message), 'eine Antwort bekommen' (to get an answer), 'Besuch bekommen' (to have visitors), or 'eine Chance bekommen' (to get a chance).
EXAMPLE
Hast du schon eine Antwort auf deine Bewerbung bekommen?
Have you already gotten an answer to your application?
States and illnesses
To describe the beginning of a state or an illness, 'bekommen' is often used. Typical combinations are: 'eine Erkältung bekommen' (to get a cold), 'Fieber bekommen' (to get a fever), 'Hunger bekommen' (to get hungry), 'Angst bekommen' (to get scared), or 'schlechte Laune bekommen' (to get into a bad mood).
EXAMPLE
Wenn ich zu wenig schlafe, bekomme ich schnell Kopfschmerzen.
When I sleep too little, I quickly get headaches.
Context clue
Whether 'bekommen' means 'to receive' or 'to buy/acquire' depends on the context. When shops, prices, or availability are being discussed, it usually means 'to be able to buy' or 'to be available'.
EXAMPLE
Frische Brötchen bekommen Sie beim Bäcker um die Ecke.
You can get fresh rolls at the bakery around the corner.
Dative construction
In the phrase 'gut bekommen' (to agree with someone), the person who tolerates or does not tolerate something is in the dative. The food or drink is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Der fettige Fisch ist mir leider nicht gut bekommen.
Unfortunately, the greasy fish did not agree with me.
Fixed expression
The expression 'es mit der Angst zu tun bekommen' (to get scared) is a fixed idiom. 'Es' and 'mit der Angst zu tun' are fixed parts, while the subject is the person who suddenly feels afraid.
EXAMPLE
Als das Licht ausfiel, bekam sie es mit der Angst zu tun.
When the lights went out, she got scared.
Passive alternative
'Bekommen' can be used with a past participle to form a kind of passive. This construction emphasizes the person who receives something or for whom something good is done. The subject is the recipient of the action.
EXAMPLE
Sie bekommt die Haare geschnitten.
She is getting her hair cut.
Compare with
bekommen vs werden
to become / will
'werden' and 'bekommen' can both have to do with a change. But the difference is important: 'werden' describes someone or something developing into a new state. You become tired, ill, or nervous. 'bekommen' usually means that you receive or obtain something. With illnesses or states, for example, you say 'Fieber bekommen' (to get a fever) or 'Hunger bekommen' (to get hungry). Learners often confuse the words because both can appear in German where other languages use only one word. Remember: with adjectives, you usually use 'werden'; with a noun, you often use 'bekommen'.
bekommen
Ich bekomme morgen die neuen Unterlagen für das Projekt.
Tomorrow I will get the new documents for the project.
werden
Nach dem langen Arbeitstag wird Anna sehr müde.
After the long workday, Anna gets very tired.
In real life
Loading video examples...