führen
to guide
To lead or accompany someone or something to a particular place.
EXAMPLE
Der Guide wird uns sicher durch die Berge führen.
The guide will guide us safely through the mountains.
führen
to lead
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Meanings
führen
to run / manage
To lead and manage a company, department, or group.
EXAMPLE
Sie führt das Familienunternehmen bereits in der dritten Generation.
She is already the third generation to run the family business.
führen zu
to lead to
To have something as a result or consequence.
EXAMPLE
Regelmäßiges Training kann zu einer besseren Gesundheit führen.
Regular exercise can lead to better health.
führen
to lead
To be in the front position in a competition or game.
EXAMPLE
Die Heimmannschaft führt zur Halbzeit mit 2:0.
The home team is leading 2-0 at halftime.
ein Gespräch führen
to have a conversation
To talk with someone; to have a conversation.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen dringend ein ernstes Gespräch führen.
We urgently need to have a serious conversation.
führen
to carry / stock
To have certain goods or products in stock and sell them.
EXAMPLE
Führen Sie auch laktosefreie Milch?
Do you also carry lactose-free milk?
bei sich führen
to carry on oneself
To carry something with you, usually official documents or objects.
EXAMPLE
Bei einer Polizeikontrolle müssen Sie Ihren Führerschein bei sich führen.
During a police check, you must carry your driver's license with you.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'führen' (to lead) is the basis for many nouns related to leadership or control. Examples are 'die Führung' (for example, a tour or the management of a company) and 'der Geschäftsführer' (the person who manages a company).
EXAMPLE
Die Führung durch das Schloss dauert eine Stunde.
The guided tour through the castle lasts one hour.
Typical collocations
When physically guiding someone, German often specifies how: 'jemanden an der Hand führen' (to lead someone by the hand), 'ein Pferd am Zügel führen' (to lead a horse by the reins), or 'einen Hund an der Leine führen' (to lead a dog on a leash).
EXAMPLE
Die Mutter führte ihr Kind an der Hand über die Straße.
The mother led her child across the street by the hand.
Typical collocations
In the management meaning, 'führen' (to run/manage) is often combined with organizations or groups. Typical objects are: a company, a team, a department, or a business.
EXAMPLE
Seit fünf Jahren führt sie ihr eigenes kleines Unternehmen.
She has been running her own small company for five years.
Fixed preposition
In the meaning 'als Konsequenz haben' (to have as a consequence), 'führen' (to lead) is always used with the preposition 'zu' (to) and the dative. The structure is: cause + führt zu + result.
EXAMPLE
Der Streit führte zu einem langen Schweigen zwischen den beiden.
The argument led to a long silence between the two of them.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'ein Gespräch führen' (to have/conduct a conversation) is a common and somewhat more formal way to express 'sich unterhalten' (to talk/chat). The noun 'Gespräch' is in the accusative here.
EXAMPLE
Die Politiker führten ein langes Gespräch über die neuen Gesetze.
The politicians had a long conversation about the new laws.
Context: commerce
The meaning 'im Sortiment haben' (to have in stock/carry) is used almost exclusively in the context of shops and commerce. It is a typical question from customers to salespeople.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, führen Sie auch glutenfreies Brot?
Excuse me, do you also carry gluten-free bread?
Reflexive phrase
The phrase 'bei sich führen' means 'dabeihaben' (to have with you). The reflexive pronoun 'sich' must be adapted to the person, for example: 'ich führe bei mir' (I carry with me), 'du führst bei dir' (you carry with you).
EXAMPLE
Ich führe nie viel Bargeld bei mir.
I never carry much cash with me.
Compare with
bringenfahrentragenanbietenergebenbetreibenliefernbegleitenverursachenleitenverlaufenanführenlenkenhingehensteuernverwaltenmündenautofahrenresultierenmanagengeleitenvorangehendirigierenhinführen
führen vs bringen
to bring
Bringen and führen can both express that something causes a consequence. With bringen, the consequence appears directly as the object. In this meaning, führen is used with „zu“ and presents the result as a consequence of a development or measure.
führen
Die neue Regel führt zu vielen Problemen.
The new rule leads to many problems.
bringen
Die neue Regel bringt viele Probleme.
The new rule causes many problems.
In real life
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