benennen
to name
To give someone or something a name.
EXAMPLE
Die Straße wurde nach einer berühmten Wissenschaftlerin benannt.
The street was named after a famous scientist.
benennen
to name / specify
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Meanings
benennen
to specify / name
To call something clearly and explicitly by name, to specify it, or to list it.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie bitte die drei Hauptgründe für Ihre Entscheidung benennen?
Could you please name the three main reasons for your decision?
benennen
to appoint / nominate
To designate or propose someone for an office, position, or task.
EXAMPLE
Der Verein wird bald einen neuen Vorsitzenden benennen.
The association will soon appoint a new chairperson.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Benennen' (to name/specify/appoint) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the stem 'nennen' (to call/name) in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er benannte die Datei falsch.
He named the file incorrectly.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from context: the preposition 'nach' (after) points to giving a name. Abstract nouns like 'Gründe' (reasons) or 'Probleme' (problems) point to specifying. An office or position as the object points to appointing a person.
EXAMPLE
Das Institut wurde nach Marie Curie benannt.
The institute was named after Marie Curie.
Fixed preposition
When you give someone or something a name based on another person or thing, use the structure 'etwas nach jemandem/etwas benennen' (to name something after someone/something). The person or thing serving as the model is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Sie haben ihr Kind nach dem Großvater benannt.
They named their child after the grandfather.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'spezifizieren' (to specify), 'benennen' (to specify/name) is often used with abstract nouns. Typical combinations are 'die Gründe benennen' (to name the reasons), 'die Ziele benennen' (to state the goals), 'die Ursachen benennen' (to identify the causes), or 'die Unterschiede benennen' (to name the differences).
EXAMPLE
Im Meeting müssen wir die nächsten Schritte klar benennen.
In the meeting, we need to clearly specify the next steps.
Sentence structure with offices
When someone is appointed to an office, the structure 'jemanden als [Position] benennen' (to name someone as [position]) or 'jemanden zum/zur [Position] benennen' (to appoint someone to the position of [position]) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Die Partei benannte sie als Kandidatin für die Wahl.
The party nominated her as a candidate for the election.
Compare with
benennen vs nennen
to call / name
Nennen and benennen can both mean giving someone or something a name. However, benennen places more emphasis on deliberately assigning or establishing a name, while nennen can also simply mean stating or using a name. benennen is therefore often the better choice when a conscious naming decision is involved.
benennen
Auf der Sitzung benannte die Leiterin das neue Projekt „Morgenstern“.
At the meeting, the director named the new project “Morgenstern.”
nennen
Auf der Sitzung nannte die Leiterin das neue Projekt „Morgenstern“.
At the meeting, the director called the new project “Morgenstern.”
In real life
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