01
bringen
to bring / take
To transport or accompany something or someone from one place to another.
example
Kannst du mich bitte zum Bahnhof bringen?
Can you please take me to the train station?
bringen
to bring
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 08
Usage tips
Common mistake: perfect tense
'Bringen' (to bring) is an irregular verb. The past participle is 'gebracht', and the perfect tense is always formed with 'haben', never with 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mir die Bücher gestern gebracht.
He brought me the books yesterday.
Sentence structure: indicating direction
When you want to express that someone or something is being transported to a place, 'bringen' (to bring/take) is often followed by a preposition with the accusative that indicates direction.
EXAMPLE
Ich bringe die Kinder in die Schule.
I'm taking the children to school.
Typical collocations
In the abstract meaning 'verursachen' (to cause), 'bringen' (to bring) is often combined with nouns that describe a result. Typical examples are 'Glück bringen' (to bring luck), 'Erfolg bringen' (to bring success), 'Probleme bringen' (to bring problems), or 'Veränderung bringen' (to bring change).
EXAMPLE
Diese Entscheidung wird uns viele Vorteile bringen.
This decision will bring us many advantages.
Fixed construction
The expression 'jemanden dazu bringen, etwas zu tun' (to get someone to do something) follows a fixed pattern: the object is in the accusative, followed by 'dazu' and an infinitive construction with 'zu'.
EXAMPLE
Wie kann ich ihn dazu bringen, mit mir zu sprechen?
How can I get him to talk to me?
Separable expression
In the expression 'etwas mit sich bringen' (to bring something with it), the verb is separable. The prefix 'mit' goes at the end of the sentence, while 'sich' (in the dative) stays directly after the conjugated verb.
EXAMPLE
Der neue Job bringt viel Verantwortung mit sich.
The new job brings a lot of responsibility with it.
Context clue: media
This meaning is typical in media contexts. If you read 'bringen' (to publish/broadcast) in connection with words like 'Zeitung' (newspaper), 'Nachrichten' (news), 'Fernsehen' (television), or 'Radio' (radio), it usually means 'veröffentlichen' (to publish) or 'senden' (to broadcast).
EXAMPLE
Das Fernsehen brachte gestern Abend eine Sondersendung zum Thema.
Television broadcast a special program on the topic last night.
Fixed expression: getting something done
The idiom 'etwas hinter sich bringen' (to get something over with) is a fixed unit. It is used for tasks that are perceived as unpleasant and that one wants to finish quickly.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss heute noch den unangenehmen Anruf hinter mich bringen.
I still have to get the unpleasant phone call over with today.
Fixed construction: loss
The structure 'jemanden um etwas bringen' (to deprive someone of something) describes someone taking something important away from a person. The person is in the accusative, and the thing they lose is introduced with the preposition 'um' (+ accusative).
EXAMPLE
Der Lärm der Baustelle bringt mich um den Schlaf.
The noise from the construction site is depriving me of sleep.
Fixed expression: success
The idiom 'es zu etwas bringen' (to make something of oneself) describes professional or social success. 'Etwas' can be specified with adverbs like 'weit' or nouns like 'Wohlstand' (prosperity).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat hart gearbeitet und es als Ärztin weit gebracht.
She worked hard and made a lot of herself as a doctor.
Compare with
bringen vs erreichen
to reach
'bringen' and 'erreichen' can both have to do with a result or success. 'erreichen' emphasizes that you really achieve a goal, often through effort or planning. 'bringen' is more about something causing a result, or about someone making something of themselves in life. For example, you say 'ein Ziel erreichen' (to achieve a goal), but 'die Änderung bringt Vorteile' (the change brings advantages). When it is about a clear goal, 'erreichen' sounds more precise. When it is about the consequence of something, 'bringen' fits better.
bringen
Die neue Regel bringt mehr Ruhe in den Unterricht.
The new rule brings more calm to the class.
erreichen
Nach vielen Monaten Training hat sie ihr Ziel erreicht.
After many months of training, she achieved her goal.
In real life
Loading video examples...