existieren
to exist
To be present, to be real, or to live.
EXAMPLE
Glaubst du, dass Außerirdische auf anderen Planeten existieren?
Do you believe that aliens exist on other planets?
existieren
to exist
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Meanings
existieren
to subsist
To survive under difficult conditions or just barely get by.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Verlust seines Jobs konnte er von seinen Ersparnissen nur noch mühsam existieren.
After losing his job, he could only subsist with difficulty on his savings.
Usage tips
Verbs ending in '-ieren'
'Existieren' (to exist) ends in '-ieren', which is typical for verbs from other languages (often Latin). These verbs are always regular and form their past participle without 'ge-' ('existiert').
EXAMPLE
Dieses Problem hat schon immer existiert.
This problem has always existed.
Abstract context
In its main meaning, 'existieren' (to exist) is often used in philosophical, scientific, or abstract contexts to describe the mere existence of something.
EXAMPLE
Die Frage, ob Paralleluniversen existieren, beschäftigt viele Physiker.
The question of whether parallel universes exist occupies many physicists.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning 'überleben' (to survive) from additional words that describe a difficulty. Pay attention to adverbs like 'kaum' (hardly), 'mühsam' (with difficulty), or the preposition 'von' (on/from), which indicates what someone lives on.
EXAMPLE
Mit so wenig Geld kann man kaum existieren.
With so little money, one can hardly subsist.
Compare with
existieren vs leben
to live
Leben and existieren can both express that someone has to manage with certain means. Leben is the neutral choice. Existieren sounds more formal and often emphasizes that the means are scarce and just sufficient for survival.
existieren
Er muss von nur 900 Euro im Monat existieren.
He has to subsist on only 900 euros a month.
leben
Er lebt von 900 Euro im Monat.
He lives on 900 euros a month.
In real life
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