to supply
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to supply
To regularly deliver goods or products to a customer, a shop, or a place.
Der Großhändler beliefert täglich über hundert Supermärkte mit frischem Obst.
The wholesaler supplies over a hundred supermarkets with fresh fruit every day.
to supply
To provide someone deliberately and repeatedly with information or material.
Ein anonymer Informant belieferte die Presse mit geheimen Regierungsdokumenten.
An anonymous informant supplied the press with secret government documents.
'Beliefern' (to supply) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' always stays attached to the verb and changes the sentence structure: you say 'liefert etwas an jemanden' (delivers something to someone), but 'beliefert jemanden' (supplies someone) directly.
Der LKW beliefert den Supermarkt mit neuen Waren.
The truck supplies the supermarket with new goods.
The structure for this verb is fixed: the person or place receiving something is in the accusative. The thing being delivered is added with the preposition 'mit' and the dative.
Die Fabrik beliefert uns (Akkusativ) mit wichtigen Ersatzteilen (Dativ).
The factory supplies us (accusative) with important spare parts (dative).
In this meaning, 'beliefern' (to supply) is used mainly in a business context for the regular delivery of goods. Typical recipients are customers, shops, restaurants, or markets.
Seit zehn Jahren beliefert dieser Bauer den lokalen Markt mit Gemüse.
This farmer has supplied the local market with vegetables for ten years.
When it is about the delivery of information, the verb is often found in contexts such as journalism, espionage, or politics. Typical recipients are then 'die Presse' (the press) or 'die Öffentlichkeit' (the public).
Ein Whistleblower hat die Zeitung mit brisanten Dokumenten beliefert.
A whistleblower supplied the newspaper with explosive documents.
to deliver / provide
Both words can refer to bringing goods to a customer or business. „Liefern“ focuses more on the individual goods or shipment, while „beliefern“ focuses on the recipient being supplied regularly. Use „beliefern“ when an ongoing supply is the main focus.
Der Händler beliefert unser Geschäft jeden Freitag mit Getränken.
The retailer supplies our shop with drinks every Friday.
Der Händler liefert die bestellten Getränke am Freitag.
The retailer will deliver the ordered drinks on Friday.
