betragen
to amount to
To make up a specific sum, value, or number.
EXAMPLE
Die Kosten für die Reparatur betragen 250 Euro.
The cost of the repair amounts to 250 euros.
betragen
to amount to / to behave
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Meanings
sich betragen
to behave
To act in a certain way; to show a particular kind of behavior.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich bei der Feier wirklich unmöglich betragen.
He really behaved terribly at the party.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Betragen' (to amount to / to behave) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' stays firmly attached to the verb stem 'tragen' in all tenses and sentence positions.
EXAMPLE
Die Rechnung betrug mehr als erwartet.
The bill amounted to more than expected.
Context clue
The two meanings are easy to distinguish: without the reflexive pronoun 'sich', it is about a number or value. With 'sich', it is always about a person's behavior.
EXAMPLE
Der Schaden beträgt 500 Euro.
The damage amounts to 500 euros.
Sentence structure and usage
In this meaning, the subject of the sentence is always an impersonal quantity such as 'die Kosten' (the costs), 'der Preis' (the price), 'die Summe' (the sum), 'die Distanz' (the distance), or 'die Temperatur' (the temperature).
EXAMPLE
Die Entfernung zum nächsten Bahnhof beträgt zwei Kilometer.
The distance to the nearest train station is two kilometers.
Always reflexive
In the meaning 'sich verhalten' (to behave), the verb must always be used with a reflexive pronoun in the accusative. The behavior is often described more precisely with an adverb.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder haben sich im Museum vorbildlich betragen.
The children behaved exemplaryly in the museum.
Compare with
betragen vs machen
to do / make
Both verbs can be used to state an amount. In such statements, „machen“ usually sounds more colloquial and occurs in certain fixed expressions; „betragen“ gives a value in an objective, formal way. „Machen“ is possible in conversation, while „betragen“ is a better fit in an official statement.
betragen
Die Kosten der Reparatur betragen insgesamt 80 Euro.
The total cost of the repair amounts to 80 euros.
machen
Die Reparatur macht insgesamt 80 Euro.
The repair comes to 80 euros in total.
In real life
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