01
gebären
to give birth
To bring a child or young animal into the world.
example
Sie hat letzte Woche einen gesunden Jungen geboren.
She gave birth to a healthy boy last week.
gebären
to give birth
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word family
'Gebären' (to give birth) is the active verb corresponding to 'geboren werden' (to be born) and the noun 'die Geburt' (birth). 'Eine Frau gebiert ein Kind' (a woman gives birth to a child) describes the same situation as 'Ein Kind wird geboren' (a child is born).
EXAMPLE
Die Geburt des Kindes war ein großes Ereignis.
The birth of the child was a major event.
Perfect tense with 'haben'
Although it describes a kind of change of state, 'gebären' forms the perfect tense with the auxiliary verb 'haben' (to have). The past participle is 'geboren' (born).
EXAMPLE
Die Katze hat gestern fünf Junge geboren.
The cat gave birth to five kittens yesterday.
Register
The verb 'gebären' (to give birth) is mainly used in written language, in medical contexts, or in formal contexts. It sounds more elevated than other expressions for this process.
EXAMPLE
Im Krankenhaus werden täglich mehrere Kinder geboren.
Several children are born in the hospital every day.
Sentence structure in the passive
In the figurative meaning 'etwas hervorbringen' (to bring something forth), the passive form 'geboren werden' (to be born) is almost always used. The subject is then the new idea or the new work.
EXAMPLE
Die Idee für das Projekt wurde in einer langen Diskussion geboren.
The idea for the project was born in a long discussion.
Compare with
gebären vs bekommen
to get / receive
'Nachwuchs bekommen' and 'gebären' can both have to do with the birth of a child or young animal. In this context, 'bekommen' is the normal, everyday wording: a woman 'bekommt ein Baby' (has a baby), a cat 'bekommt Junge' (has kittens / young). 'gebären' describes the physical act of giving birth more directly and sounds more formal or medical. In conversation, people usually say 'ein Kind bekommen' (to have a child). 'gebären' is more appropriate when the birth process itself is important or when the style should be more factual.
gebären
Die Ärztin blieb im Raum, bis die Frau ihr Baby gebar.
The doctor stayed in the room until the woman gave birth to her baby.
bekommen
Meine Nachbarin hat im Mai ihr zweites Kind bekommen.
My neighbor had her second child in May.
In real life
Loading video examples...