ergeben
devoted
Very loyal and devoted to someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Der ergebene Hund wich seinem Besitzer keinen Schritt von der Seite.
The devoted dog did not leave its owner's side for a moment.
ergeben
devoted / resigned
ergeben – ergebener – am ergebensten
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Meanings
ergeben
resigned
Accepting a difficult or unavoidable situation without resistance.
EXAMPLE
Er nahm sein Schicksal ergeben hin.
He resignedly accepted his fate.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry ergeben, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | ergeben |
|---|---|
| comparative | ergebener |
| superlative | am ergebensten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to ergeben.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to ergeben.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to ergeben.
Usage tips
Context clue
When expressing personal affection, 'ergeben' (devoted) is often used with a person or thing in the dative. In the meaning of yielding to a situation, phrases such as 'etwas ergeben hinnehmen' (to resignedly accept something) point to a difficult situation.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Katze war ihrer Besitzerin tief ergeben.
The old cat was deeply devoted to its owner.
Sie nahm die Entscheidung ergeben hin.
She resignedly accepted the decision.
Dative construction
To express devoted loyalty, the phrase 'jemandem oder einer Sache ergeben sein' (to be devoted to someone or something) is often used. The person or thing receiving the devotion is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Künstler war seiner Arbeit bis ins hohe Alter ergeben.
The artist was devoted to his work well into old age.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'ergeben' (resigned) usually functions as an adverb with verbs such as 'hinnehmen' (to accept), 'sich fügen' (to submit), or 'ertragen' (to endure). It describes an attitude in which someone accepts a difficult situation without resistance.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Verlust fügte sie sich ergeben in die neue Situation.
After the loss, she resignedly accepted the new situation.
In real life
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