beten
to pray
To address God or a higher power in prayer in order to give thanks, make a request, or worship.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen beten in schwierigen Zeiten für Kraft und Hoffnung.
Many people pray for strength and hope in difficult times.
beten
to pray
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Meanings
beten
to beg
Colloquially, to ask someone urgently and repeatedly for something.
EXAMPLE
Er hat förmlich gebetet, ich solle ihm noch eine Chance geben.
He practically begged me to give him another chance.
Usage tips
Important prepositions
In a religious context, different prepositions are used: 'zu' (to, direction, e.g. to God), 'für' (for, purpose, e.g. for peace), and 'um' (for, request, e.g. for forgiveness).
EXAMPLE
Sie betet zu Gott, dass er ihr hilft.
She prays to God that he will help her.
Word family
The verb 'beten' (to pray) belongs to the word family of 'das Gebet' (prayer). 'Beten' is the action of saying a prayer.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Essen sprechen sie immer ein kurzes Gebet.
Before eating, they always say a short prayer.
Colloquial use
In colloquial language, 'beten' (to pray) is also used as an exaggeration for 'inständig bitten' (to beg / ask earnestly). This meaning is metaphorical and not religious.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe ihn fast angebetet, mir bei dem Umzug zu helfen.
I practically begged him to help me with the move.
Compare with
beten vs bitten
to ask / request
Bitten and beten can both refer to making a request to a person. Bitten is the neutral and polite form. Beten is colloquial in this use and expresses that the request is especially earnest, often repeated, or deliberately exaggerated.
beten
Ich bete dich an, erzähl wirklich niemandem von unserem Gespräch!
I'm begging you, really don't tell anyone about our conversation!
bitten
Ich bitte dich, unser Gespräch für dich zu behalten.
I ask you to keep our conversation to yourself.
In real life
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