ergeben
to show / yield
To have as a result or consequence; to lead to something.
EXAMPLE
Die Untersuchung ergab, dass die Ursache ein technischer Defekt war.
The investigation showed that the cause was a technical defect.
ergeben
to result / surrender
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Meanings
sich ergeben
to surrender
To give up the fight and submit to the opponent; to capitulate.
EXAMPLE
Die belagerte Stadt ergab sich nach wochenlangem Widerstand.
The besieged city surrendered after weeks of resistance.
sich ergeben aus
to arise from
To follow logically or become known from a situation or information.
EXAMPLE
Aus den vorliegenden Daten ergibt sich ein klarer Trend.
A clear trend arises from the available data.
sich ergeben
to resign oneself
To submit without resistance to an unavoidable situation or fate.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Diagnose ergab er sich in sein Schicksal.
After the diagnosis, he resigned himself to his fate.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'er-' is inseparable. It stays firmly attached to the verb 'geben' (to give) in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Die Analyse ergab ein überraschendes Resultat.
The analysis yielded a surprising result.
Reflexive or not?
This verb can be used reflexively ('sich ergeben') or non-reflexively ('ergeben'). Without 'sich', it means 'to have a result'. With 'sich', it means 'to surrender' or 'to resign oneself'.
EXAMPLE
Zwei plus zwei ergibt vier.
Two plus two equals four.
Typical subjects
In the meaning 'to have as a result', the subject is often a word that describes a process, such as 'die Studie' (the study), 'die Berechnung' (the calculation), 'die Suche' (the search), or 'die Umfrage' (the survey).
EXAMPLE
Die Berechnung ergab eine Summe von über 1000 Euro.
The calculation yielded a total of over 1,000 euros.
Construction with 'aus'
When something follows logically from information, the fixed construction 'sich ergeben aus' + dative is used. The new information is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Aus dem Gespräch ergab sich die Notwendigkeit für ein weiteres Treffen.
The conversation showed the need for another meeting.
Surrender with dative
When 'sich ergeben' means 'to surrender', the person or group one submits to is often in the dative. Typical examples are 'dem Feind' (to the enemy) or 'der Polizei' (to the police).
EXAMPLE
Nach einer langen Verfolgung ergab sich der Dieb der Polizei.
After a long chase, the thief surrendered to the police.
Fixed expression
In the meaning 'to resign oneself', the fixed expression 'sich in sein Schicksal ergeben' (to resign oneself to one's fate) is often used. Here, 'in' takes the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Er war sehr traurig, aber schließlich ergab er sich in sein Schicksal.
He was very sad, but eventually he resigned himself to his fate.
Compare with
gebenfolgenführenbetragenaufgebenausmachenfügenhinnehmenresultierennachgebenresignierenkapitulierenunterordnen
ergeben vs geben
to give
Both geben and ergeben can name the result of a calculation. Geben sounds more informal, while ergeben is the more precise standard-language form for a result or consequence. In a factual mathematical statement, ergeben is therefore usually the better choice, although geben is also possible in conversation.
ergeben
Zwei plus drei ergeben als Ergebnis fünf.
Two plus three equals five.
geben
Zwei plus drei gibt als Ergebnis fünf.
Two plus three equals five.
In real life
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