belegen
to book
To reserve or occupy a place, room, or course.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe für das nächste Semester einen Spanischkurs belegt.
I booked a Spanish course for next semester.
belegen
to book / prove / top
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Meanings
belegen
to prove
To support and demonstrate a claim or theory with facts, data, or evidence.
EXAMPLE
Der Wissenschaftler konnte seine These mit zahlreichen Studienergebnissen belegen.
The scientist was able to prove his thesis with numerous study results.
belegen
to top
To cover something, usually bread or a roll, with one or more layers of food such as cheese or sausage.
EXAMPLE
Für die Party hat sie viele Brötchen mit Lachs und Frischkäse belegt.
For the party, she topped many rolls with salmon and cream cheese.
belegen
to place
To achieve a particular place in a competition or ranking.
EXAMPLE
Die deutsche Mannschaft belegte bei der Weltmeisterschaft den zweiten Platz.
The German team placed second at the World Cup.
jemanden mit etwas belegen
to impose something on someone
To impose a penalty, curse, or fee on someone. Usually used in formal or legal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Verstoßes wurde das Unternehmen mit einer hohen Geldstrafe belegt.
Because of the violation, the company was fined heavily.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Belegen' is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'be-'. The prefix always remains connected to the stem 'legen' (to lay/put). The basic idea of 'laying' something onto something else helps you understand the different meanings: you put a topping on bread, a claim on a course place, or evidence onto a statement.
EXAMPLE
Sie belegt ihre Argumente mit Zahlen.
She supports her arguments with numbers.
Context clue
You can recognize the exact meaning of 'belegen' from the object. If it refers to a course or a room, it means 'to reserve/book'. If it refers to a theory or statement, it means 'to prove'. If it refers to food, it means 'to cover/top'.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte einen Italienischkurs belegen.
I would like to take an Italian course.
Typical collocations
In the context of education and reservations, 'belegen' is often used with 'einen Kurs' (a course), 'ein Seminar' (a seminar), or 'ein Fach' (a subject) at university. It means that you have officially registered to participate.
EXAMPLE
Alle Plätze in dem Yogakurs sind bereits belegt.
All the places in the yoga course are already booked.
Rank and competition
When it comes to competitions or rankings, 'belegen' is always combined with a placing. Typical phrases are 'den ersten Platz belegen' (to take/place first) or 'einen der vorderen Plätze belegen' (to place among the top ranks).
EXAMPLE
Die Athletin belegte im Finale den dritten Platz.
The athlete placed third in the final.
Sentence structure with penalties
In the formal meaning 'to punish', 'belegen' has a fixed structure: Man belegt jemanden (accusative) mit etwas (dative). The 'something' is the penalty or fee.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter belegte den Angeklagten mit einer Geldstrafe.
The judge imposed a fine on the defendant.
Compare with
liegenerreichenbesuchenbeweisenbesetzennachweisenbedeckenbuchendokumentierenzeugenverhängenreservierenauferlegenuntermauernpflastern
belegen vs liegen
to lie / be located
Liegen and belegen can express the same position in a ranking. With liegen, an expression such as „auf dem zweiten Platz“ follows; with belegen, „den zweiten Platz“ is the direct object. The statement about the rank achieved remains the same.
belegen
Unsere Mannschaft belegt nach dem letzten Spiel den zweiten Platz.
Our team took second place after the last game.
liegen
Unsere Mannschaft liegt nach dem letzten Spiel auf dem zweiten Platz.
Our team is in second place after the last game.
In real life
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