01
entbehren
to do without
To have to go without something that one actually needs or wants. It is often felt as a lack or loss.
example
Als Student musste er viele Annehmlichkeiten entbehren.
As a student, he had to do without many comforts.
entbehren
to do without / lack
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Entbehren' (to do without / lack) is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'ent-'. This prefix often expresses removal or lack, which fits the meaning 'to have to do without something' or 'not to have something'.
EXAMPLE
In der Not mussten die Menschen lange Zeit ärztliche Hilfe entbehren.
In times of need, people had to do without medical help for a long time.
Use with the accusative
The verb 'entbehren' (to do without / lack) is used directly with an accusative object. You do not need an additional preposition.
EXAMPLE
Auf der langen Wanderung entbehrten wir jeglichen Komfort.
On the long hike, we did without any comfort.
Elevated style
'Entbehren' (to do without / lack) belongs to elevated written language and is rather rarely used in everyday conversation. It sounds more formal and detached.
EXAMPLE
Der Autor schreibt, die Hauptfigur habe in ihrer Kindheit jede Zuneigung entbehrt.
The author writes that the main character lacked all affection in her childhood.
Fixed expressions
In the meaning 'not to possess', the verb is often used in fixed expressions. Very typical are 'jeder Grundlage entbehren' (to lack any basis) or 'jeder Logik entbehren' (to lack any logic).
EXAMPLE
Die Gerüchte über die Firma entbehren jeder Grundlage.
The rumors about the company lack any basis.
Compare with
entbehren vs fehlen
to be absent / to be missing
'fehlen' and 'entbehren' can both express that something is not present. 'fehlen' is neutral and very common in everyday language: something is not there or there is not enough of it. 'entbehren' sounds more elevated and often emphasizes that you have to do without something, even though you need it or would like to have it. In formal language, 'entbehren' can also mean that something lacks a basis or logic. Learners may confuse the words, but in normal everyday language, 'fehlen' is usually more natural.
entbehren
Im Urlaub musste Finn mehrere Tage auf warmes Wasser entbehren.
On vacation, Finn had to do without hot water for several days.
fehlen
Für die Suppe fehlt noch Salz.
The soup still needs salt.
In real life
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