01
erteilen
to issue / grant
To give or grant something official or formal, such as an order, permission, advice, or information.
example
Der General erteilte den Befehl zum Angriff.
The general issued the order to attack.
erteilen
to issue / grant / teach
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Erteilen' (to issue/grant/teach) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'teilen' in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Die Behörde erteilte ihm die Baugenehmigung.
The authority granted him the building permit.
Register and style
'Erteilen' (to issue/grant/teach) is a formal word used mainly in official, administrative, or educational contexts. In everyday language, you would usually use 'geben' (to give).
EXAMPLE
Der Vorstand erteilte dem Projektleiter neue Anweisungen.
The board issued new instructions to the project manager.
Sentence structure with dative
This verb is almost always used with a person in the dative (to whom something is issued/granted) and a thing in the accusative (what is issued/granted). The structure is: subject + erteilt + [dative] + [accusative].
EXAMPLE
Der Polizist erteilte dem Falschparker einen Strafzettel.
The police officer issued the illegal parker a ticket.
Typical collocations
'Erteilen' is combined with certain nouns that express something official. Common collocations are: 'einen Auftrag erteilen' (to give/issue an assignment), 'eine Genehmigung erteilen' (to grant permission/approval), 'einen Rat erteilen' (to give advice), 'eine Lektion erteilen' (to teach someone a lesson), or 'Auskunft erteilen' (to provide information).
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir bitte Auskunft über die Abfahrtszeiten erteilen?
Could you please provide me with information about the departure times?
Compare with
erteilen vs geben
to give
'geben' and 'erteilen' can both fit with information, advice, lessons, or permission. In these cases, 'geben' is the normal and simple word. 'erteilen' sounds more formal and is often used in fixed expressions, for example 'eine Erlaubnis erteilen' (to grant permission), 'eine Auskunft erteilen' (to provide information), or 'Unterricht erteilen' (to teach lessons). Learners may confuse the words because both can seem similar in some sentences. In everyday speech, people usually say 'geben'; in official or school-related contexts, 'erteilen' sounds more precise.
erteilen
Die Behörde erteilt der Familie die Erlaubnis für den Umbau.
The authority grants the family permission for the renovation.
geben
Meine Kollegin gibt mir einen guten Rat für das Gespräch.
My colleague gives me good advice for the meeting.
In real life
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