to be proper / to be due
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to be proper
In the expression 'wie es sich gebührt' (as is proper) or standing alone, used to express that something conforms to the rules of decency or politeness.
Es gebührt sich nicht, mit vollem Mund zu sprechen.
It is not proper to speak with your mouth full.
The verb 'gebühren' (to be proper / to be due) belongs to elevated or formal language. It is rarely used in everyday speech.
Der Respekt, der älteren Menschen gebührt, sollte selbstverständlich sein.
The respect that is due to older people should be a matter of course.
The person to whom something is due or for whom something is appropriate is always in the dative. This is a fixed rule for this verb.
Dem Autor gebührt große Anerkennung für sein Werk.
Great recognition is due to the author for his work.
The impersonal, reflexive form 'es gebührt sich' (it is proper) is especially common. It is often used in the fixed expression 'wie es sich gebührt' (as is proper) or in sentences like 'Es gebührt sich nicht, das zu tun' (It is not proper to do that).
Er bedankte sich höflich, wie es sich gebührt.
He thanked them politely, as is proper.
In this meaning, the thing that is due to someone is the subject in the nominative. The person to whom it is due is the dative object.
Der Kanzlerin gebührt der erste Platz in der Rednerliste.
First place on the speakers' list is due to the chancellor.
to belong
'sich gehören' and 'sich gebühren' can both express that something fits good manners or a rule of decency. 'Das gehört sich' is understandable in everyday language and is used when you want to say that a behavior is proper or improper. 'Sich gebühren' sounds elevated and often appears in fixed expressions, for example 'wie es sich gebührt' (as is proper). In addition, 'gebühren' can also mean that something is due to someone. Learners may confuse the words because they sound similar and both have to do with propriety. In normal conversation, 'sich gehören' is usually more natural.
Die Gäste wurden begrüßt, wie es sich gebührt.
The guests were greeted as is proper.
Es gehört sich nicht, während des Essens laut zu telefonieren.
It is not proper to talk loudly on the phone during a meal.