to deny / cover / contest
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to deny
To state that something is not true or not accurate; to deny or reject something.
Der Angeklagte bestreitet, zur Tatzeit am Tatort gewesen zu sein.
The defendant denies having been at the scene of the crime at the time of the offense.
'Bestreiten' (to deny/cover/contest) is an inseparable verb because it begins with the prefix 'be-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb 'streiten' (to argue/fight) in all tenses and sentence types.
Er bestritt alle Vorwürfe, die gegen ihn erhoben wurden.
He denied all the accusations made against him.
The different meanings of 'bestreiten' can be recognized by the object: you 'bestreitet eine Behauptung' (deny a claim), 'seinen Lebensunterhalt' (cover one's living expenses), or 'einen Wettkampf' (contest/take part in a competition).
Sie bestreitet, davon gewusst zu haben.
She denies having known about it.
When you deny an action, you can use 'bestreiten' (to deny) with a 'dass' clause or an infinitive construction with 'zu'. Both structures are very common.
Der Politiker bestreitet, dass er das Dokument gesehen hat.
The politician denies that he saw the document.
In the meaning 'finanzieren' (to finance), 'bestreiten' (to cover) is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'seinen Lebensunterhalt bestreiten' (to make/cover one's living).
Es ist für viele Studenten schwer, nur mit einem Nebenjob ihren Lebensunterhalt zu bestreiten.
For many students, it is hard to cover their living expenses with only a part-time job.
The use of 'bestreiten' (to contest) for taking part in a competition is especially typical of the language of sports and journalism.
Der Boxer hat in seiner Karriere über 50 Kämpfe bestritten.
The boxer has contested over 50 fights in his career.
When you deny someone a right or an ability, 'bestreiten' (to deny) needs a person in the dative and the thing in the accusative. The structure is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) bestreiten.
Man kann ihr nicht bestreiten, dass sie sehr talentiert ist.
One cannot deny that she is very talented.
to pay
'bezahlen' and 'bestreiten' can both have to do with money and costs. 'bezahlen' refers to the specific moment when you give money, for example at the checkout or for a bill. 'bestreiten' is more about having the necessary funds for something and covering the costs. It is often used for larger or ongoing expenses, for example living expenses. For a single purchase, 'bezahlen' sounds more natural; for financial support or covering living costs, 'bestreiten' fits better.
Viele Studierende bestreiten ihren Lebensunterhalt mit einem Nebenjob.
Many students cover their living expenses with a part-time job.
Amira bezahlt die Miete immer am Monatsanfang.
Amira always pays the rent at the beginning of the month.