geboren
born
Describes the beginning of a person’s or animal’s life; often used to state the place or date of birth.
EXAMPLE
Albert Einstein wurde 1879 in Ulm geboren.
Albert Einstein was born in Ulm in 1879.
geboren
born
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Meanings
ein geborener ... sein
born ...
Expresses that someone has an exceptional, innate talent for a particular activity or role.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner ruhigen und überzeugenden Art ist er ein geborener Anführer.
With his calm and persuasive manner, he is a born leader.
geboren
née / born
Used to give a person's birth name, usually that of a married woman. Abbreviated as 'geb.'.
EXAMPLE
Die Referentin war Frau Dr. Schmidt, geborene Meier.
The speaker was Dr. Schmidt, née Meier.
Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Geboren' (born) is the past participle of the verb 'gebären' (to give birth). It is usually used like an adjective to give information about birth.
EXAMPLE
Meine Großmutter ist in einem kleinen Dorf geboren.
My grandmother was born in a small village.
Sentence structure with 'sein' or 'werden'
To state the place or date of birth, 'geboren' (born) is used with a form of 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become). The form with 'wurde' is very common in written texts, while 'ist' is often used in spoken language.
EXAMPLE
Sie wurde am 3. Mai in Hamburg geboren.
She was born on May 3 in Hamburg.
Fixed expression
The structure 'ein geborener [Nomen]' (a born [noun]) describes an innate talent. The word 'geboren' is not declined in this fixed expression.
EXAMPLE
Er kann jedem alles verkaufen, er ist ein geborener Verkäufer.
He can sell anything to anyone; he is a born salesman.
Formal use
To give a person's birth name, the declined form 'geborene' (née/born) is used. In official documents or announcements, this is often abbreviated as 'geb.'.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Direktorin ist Frau Müller, geborene Schmidt.
The new director is Ms. Müller, née Schmidt.
Compare with
geboren vs gebürtig
native
Geboren directly indicates the place or time of birth. Gebürtig describes a person's origin and often occurs in phrases such as „gebürtige Kölnerin“. Geboren is used for specific birth details; gebürtig is used to describe someone's origin.
geboren
Mara wurde in Köln geboren.
Mara was born in Cologne.
gebürtig
Mara ist gebürtige Kölnerin.
Mara is a native of Cologne.
In real life
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