01
brennen
to burn
To be destroyed by fire or to be in flames.
example
Das alte Lagerhaus brennt lichterloh.
The old warehouse is burning fiercely.
brennen
to burn
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Transitive or intransitive
'Brennen' (to burn) can be used with or without an accusative object, which often determines the meaning. Without an object, it usually means that something is in flames or is shining. With an object, it means that someone is actively distilling something or copying data.
EXAMPLE
Die Kerze brennt. (intransitiv)
The candle is burning. (intransitive)
Auxiliary verb 'haben'
Although 'brennen' (to burn) in this meaning describes a kind of change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with 'haben' (to have), not with 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Das ganze Haus hat letzte Nacht gebrannt.
The whole house burned last night.
Physical sensations
When 'brennen' (to burn) describes a feeling, a body part is often the subject of the sentence. The cause can also be the subject.
EXAMPLE
Meine Augen brennen vom vielen Lesen.
My eyes burn from reading so much.
Fixed preposition 'für'
The figurative meaning 'to be passionate' always requires the preposition 'für' followed by the accusative. You always 'burn for' a cause, an idea, or a person.
EXAMPLE
Der junge Forscher brennt für sein Projekt.
The young researcher burns for his project.
Sentence structure for distilling
In this meaning, 'brennen' (to distill) is transitive and needs an accusative object, e.g. 'Schnaps' (schnapps). The source material is often given with the preposition 'aus' (+ dative).
EXAMPLE
In dieser Region brennt man Alkohol aus Kirschen.
In this region, people distill alcohol from cherries.
Sentence structure for data
When copying data, 'brennen' (to burn) is transitive. The data is the accusative object, and the storage medium is named with the preposition 'auf' (+ accusative).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss die Präsentation noch auf eine DVD brennen.
I still have to burn the presentation onto a DVD.
Compare with
brennen vs scheinen
to shine / seem
'scheinen' and 'brennen' can both have to do with light. 'scheinen' is used when something emits light or is visible as bright, especially the sun or the moon. 'brennen' is used when something gives off light or heat through fire or a flame, for example a candle. With lamps, 'brennen' can also mean that they are switched on. Learners may confuse the words because both describe light. The difference is: 'scheinen' emphasizes the light, while 'brennen' emphasizes the flame or the switched-on state.
brennen
Auf dem Tisch brennt eine Kerze, weil der Strom ausgefallen ist.
A candle is burning on the table because the power has gone out.
scheinen
Am Morgen scheint die Sonne direkt ins Zimmer.
In the morning, the sun shines directly into the room.
In real life
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