dabei
there
Expresses that someone is present at an event or in a place.
EXAMPLE
Gestern war ein großes Fest in der Stadt, und ich war auch dabei.
Yesterday there was a big festival in the city, and I was there too.
dabei
there / with you
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Meanings
dabei
while doing so
Describes an action that takes place at the same time as another action.
EXAMPLE
Er hörte Musik und las dabei ein Buch.
He listened to music and read a book while doing so.
dabei
with you
Means that you are carrying something with you or have brought it along.
EXAMPLE
Hast du deinen Regenschirm dabei? Es soll später regnen.
Do you have your umbrella with you? It's supposed to rain later.
dabei sein, etwas zu tun
to be in the process
A fixed expression that means you are currently in the process of doing something.
EXAMPLE
Stör mich nicht, ich bin gerade dabei, die E-Mails zu beantworten.
Don't disturb me; I'm in the middle of answering the emails.
dabei
yet
Introduces a contrast or unexpected information, similar to 'trotzdem' (nevertheless) or 'obwohl' (although).
EXAMPLE
Sie isst sehr viel und ist dabei ganz schlank.
She eats a lot and yet is very slim.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Dabei' is a pronominal adverb made up of 'da' and 'bei'. 'Da' refers to a thing or situation already known from the context. So it literally means 'bei dieser Sache' (with this thing) or 'an diesem Ort' (at this place).
EXAMPLE
Morgen ist ein wichtiges Meeting. Bist du auch dabei?
Tomorrow is an important meeting. Will you be there too?
Having something with you
The combination 'etwas dabeihaben' (to have something with you) means that you are carrying something with you. The object stands between the conjugated verb 'haben' (to have) and 'dabei'.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe meinen Ausweis nicht dabei.
I don't have my ID with me.
Fixed expression
The expression 'dabei sein, etwas zu tun' (to be in the process of doing something) describes that you are right in the middle of an action. It is always formed with an infinitive construction with 'zu'.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin gerade dabei, das Abendessen vorzubereiten.
I'm in the middle of preparing dinner.
Simultaneity
When 'dabei' connects two actions, it means that they take place at the same time. It refers to the action in the first part of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Er telefoniert und macht sich dabei Notizen.
He is talking on the phone and taking notes while doing so.
Expressing contrast
In this meaning, 'dabei' introduces surprising or contrasting information. It can stand at the beginning of a sentence and then requires the verb to follow directly after it (inversion).
EXAMPLE
Er sagt, er hat keine Zeit. Dabei sitzt er nur vor dem Fernseher.
He says he has no time. Yet he's just sitting in front of the TV.
Compare with
dabei vs damit
so that / with it
Damit refers to an object mentioned earlier that is used as a means. Dabei refers to an activity taking place at the same time, in which someone is involved. So when talking about helping, damit goes with the tool, while dabei refers to the activity itself.
dabei
Ich streiche heute das Zimmer, und du kannst mir dabei helfen.
I’m painting the room today, and you can help me while I do it.
damit
Nimm den breiten Pinsel, damit kannst du mir beim Streichen helfen.
Take the wide paintbrush; you can use it to help me paint.
In real life
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