das Geleit
escort
An accompaniment that serves to protect a person or transport, or to show honor.
EXAMPLE
Der Geldtransporter erhielt ein polizeiliches Geleit bis zur Bank.
The armored cash transport received a police escort to the bank.
das Geleit
escort
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Meanings
jemandem das Geleit geben
to escort someone
To accompany someone for part of the way, often in order to say goodbye. The expression is frequently used at funerals to accompany the deceased on their final journey.
EXAMPLE
Hunderte von Trauernden waren gekommen, um ihm das letzte Geleit zu geben.
Hundreds of mourners had come to pay him their final respects.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Geleit' is derived from the verb 'leiten' (to lead, to guide, to accompany). The prefix 'Ge-' here suggests an action or a group that carries out this action.
EXAMPLE
Der Bergführer leitete die Gruppe sicher ins Tal.
The mountain guide led the group safely into the valley.
Typical collocations
You can 'bekommen' (get) or 'erhalten' (receive) 'Geleit' (an escort). An action can also take place 'unter Geleit' (under escort), which means that it is accompanied.
EXAMPLE
Der Zeuge wurde unter Polizeischutz zum Gericht gebracht und erhielt dort ständiges Geleit.
The witness was brought to court under police protection and received constant escort there.
Fixed expression
The expression 'jemandem das Geleit geben' (to escort someone) is a fixed idiom. The person being accompanied is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ich gebe dir bis zur Haustür das Geleit.
I'll escort you as far as the front door.
Context clue: funeral
In the context of a funeral, the expression is often strengthened with the adjective 'letzte' (last/final): 'jemandem das letzte Geleit geben' (to pay someone one's final respects). This means symbolically accompanying the deceased on their final journey.
EXAMPLE
Familie und Freunde gaben der Verstorbenen das letzte Geleit.
Family and friends paid the deceased woman their final respects.
Compare with
Geleit vs Begleitung
companion / accompaniment
Both words can express accompanying someone. Begleitung remains neutral and can simply mean company or protection, while Geleit emphasizes a protective, honorable, or ceremonial setting and sounds more formal. Use Begleitung for simply being there with someone; for this kind of special occasion, Geleit is more appropriate.
Geleit
Für den Heimweg erhielt der wichtige Gast bewaffnetes Geleit.
The important guest received an armed escort on the way home.
Begleitung
Für den Heimweg bat sie ihre Freundin um Begleitung.
She asked her friend to accompany her on the way home.
In real life
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