to refer / move into / receive
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to refer to
To refer to something, establish a connection to something, or rely on something as a basis or reference.
Meine Frage bezieht sich auf den letzten Punkt Ihrer Präsentation.
My question refers to the last point of your presentation.
to move into
To take a new apartment or house as one's place of residence; to move in.
Nächsten Monat können wir endlich unsere neue Wohnung beziehen.
Next month we can finally move into our new apartment.
to receive
To receive or get something regularly, for example a salary, a pension, or a newspaper by subscription.
Er bezieht seit zwei Jahren eine kleine Rente.
He has been receiving a small pension for two years.
to cover
To provide a piece of furniture, especially a bed or chair, with a new fabric or leather covering.
Ich muss dringend die Betten frisch beziehen.
I urgently need to put fresh sheets on the beds.
to cloud over
Used for the sky and means that it becomes covered with clouds and turns overcast.
Gerade schien noch die Sonne, doch jetzt bezieht sich der Himmel.
The sun was shining just now, but now the sky is clouding over.
'Beziehen' is an inseparable verb that comes from the base verb 'ziehen' (to pull, move). The prefix 'be-' directs the action toward an object. This basic idea of 'pulling' appears in many meanings: you 'pull in' a reference, 'move into' an apartment, or 'pull' a cover over a bed.
Nach dem Umzug müssen wir noch die neuen Möbel aufbauen.
After the move, we still have to assemble the new furniture.
This meaning only works in the reflexive construction 'sich auf etwas beziehen' (to refer to something). The preposition 'auf' is fixed and always takes the accusative. This expression is especially common in formal and written contexts.
Ich beziehe mich auf unser Telefongespräch von letzter Woche.
I am referring to our phone conversation from last week.
In the meaning 'einziehen' (to move in), the objects are almost always places where people live or work. You can say 'eine Wohnung beziehen' (to move into an apartment), 'ein Haus beziehen' (to move into a house), or 'neue Büroräume beziehen' (to move into new office space).
Die Firma wird im Sommer ihren neuen Hauptsitz beziehen.
The company will move into its new headquarters in the summer.
When 'beziehen' means 'erhalten' (to receive), it usually refers to regular payments or deliveries. Typical objects are 'Gehalt' (salary), 'Rente' (pension), 'Sozialhilfe' (social welfare), or a subscribed 'Zeitung' (newspaper).
Mein Großvater bezieht seit fünf Jahren Rente.
My grandfather has been receiving a pension for five years.
A very common everyday use is 'das Bett beziehen', which means to put on fresh bedding (sheets, covers). The object here is always 'das Bett' (the bed).
Am Wochenende muss ich unbedingt die Betten neu beziehen.
At the weekend I absolutely have to change the sheets on the beds.
In this reflexive form, 'sich beziehen' is used almost exclusively for the weather. The subject is always 'der Himmel' (the sky).
Schau mal, der Himmel bezieht sich. Es gibt wohl bald Regen.
Look, the sky is clouding over. It will probably rain soon.
to get / receive
For regular payments, both “bekommen” and “beziehen” are possible. “Bekommen” generally describes someone receiving money, while “beziehen” refers to the regular payment in a more formal and precise way. “Bekommen” works well in everyday speech; for pensions and similar ongoing payments, “beziehen” is often used.
Ich beziehe jeden Monat meine Rente auf mein Konto.
I receive my pension in my account every month.
Ich bekomme jeden Monat meine Rente auf mein Konto.
I receive my pension in my account every month.
