bezwingen
to defeat
To defeat an opponent in a fight, competition, or conflict.
EXAMPLE
Die Heimmannschaft konnte den Favoriten überraschend mit 3:1 bezwingen.
The home team was surprisingly able to defeat the favorite 3-1.
bezwingen
to defeat / to overcome
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Meanings
bezwingen
to overcome
To successfully master a major difficulty or obstacle, for example by climbing a high mountain.
EXAMPLE
Sie war die erste Frau, die diesen Gipfel im Winter bezwang.
She was the first woman to overcome this summit in winter.
sich bezwingen
to control oneself
To bring strong feelings, an impulse, or oneself under control; to restrain oneself.
EXAMPLE
Er musste sich bezwingen, um nicht laut loszulachen.
He had to control himself so as not to burst out laughing.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Bezwingen' (to defeat / to overcome) is an inseparable verb derived from 'zwingen' (to force). The prefix 'be-' strengthens the meaning to 'vollständig besiegen' (to defeat completely) or 'erfolgreich meistern' (to master successfully).
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft hat den amtierenden Meister bezwungen.
The team defeated the reigning champion.
Register
'Bezwingen' (to defeat / to overcome) is a strong and rather elevated word. It is used for major challenges and significant victories, not for everyday or small successes.
EXAMPLE
Es war ein langer Kampf, aber am Ende konnte er seine Krankheit bezwingen.
It was a long battle, but in the end he was able to overcome his illness.
Typical collocations
'Bezwingen' (to overcome) is used especially often in the context of nature and sports to express mastering a major difficulty. Typical phrases are 'einen Berg bezwingen' (to conquer a mountain) or 'einen Gipfel bezwingen' (to conquer a summit).
EXAMPLE
Die Bergsteigergruppe wollte den höchsten Gipfel des Kontinents bezwingen.
The group of climbers wanted to conquer the continent's highest summit.
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'sich beherrschen' (to control oneself), the verb is always used reflexively: 'sich bezwingen' (to control oneself). It is often followed by a construction with 'um nicht zu' (so as not to) or 'nicht zu' (not to), which describes which impulse is being suppressed.
EXAMPLE
Sie musste sich bezwingen, um nicht wütend zu antworten.
She had to control herself so as not to answer angrily.
Compare with
bezwingen vs schlagen
to hit / beat
Both words can express winning against a team or opponent. „Schlagen“ is the neutral sports term, while „bezwingen“ suggests more strongly that the opponent was particularly difficult and that winning required considerable effort. Use „schlagen“ for a standard result and „bezwingen“ for a hard-fought or difficult victory.
bezwingen
Unsere Mannschaft bezwang den starken Gegner nach einem hart umkämpften Spiel.
Our team defeated the strong opponent after a hard-fought game.
schlagen
Unsere Mannschaft schlug den Gegner im letzten Spiel mit 2:1.
Our team beat the opponent 2–1 in the last game.
In real life
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