01
sich gesellen zu
to join
To join a person or a group of people; to come over and join someone.
example
Nach der Arbeit gesellte er sich zu seinen Freunden in die Bar.
After work, he joined his friends at the bar.
gesellen
to join
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'gesellen' (to join) is related to the nouns 'der Geselle' (companion, fellow) and 'die Gesellschaft' (group, community, society). All the words have the basic idea of being together or joining others.
EXAMPLE
Er war ein freundlicher Geselle, der schnell Anschluss fand.
He was a friendly fellow who quickly found company.
Register: elevated language
The verb 'gesellen' (to join) belongs more to elevated or literary language. It is used less often in normal everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Am Abend gesellte sich ein weiterer Gast zu unserer Runde.
In the evening, another guest joined our group.
Sentence structure with a preposition
In its most common meaning, 'gesellen' (to join) is used reflexively with 'sich' and the preposition 'zu' + dative: sich zu jemandem gesellen (to join someone).
EXAMPLE
Darf ich mich zu euch an den Tisch gesellen?
May I join you at the table?
Fixed proverb
The expression 'Gleich und Gleich gesellt sich gern' (birds of a feather flock together) is a fixed proverb. It is used to comment that people with similar interests or personalities often become friends.
EXAMPLE
Alle meine Freunde lieben Computerspiele. Tja, Gleich und Gleich gesellt sich gern.
All my friends love computer games. Well, birds of a feather flock together.
Compare with
gesellen vs verbinden
to connect / to bandage
'verbinden' and 'gesellen' can both express that something or someone joins something else and is no longer completely separate. 'verbinden' is more neutral and much more common: it can refer to people, things, ideas, or qualities. 'sich gesellen zu' is used mainly for people when someone joins a person or group. It sounds somewhat more elevated or narrative than 'dazukommen' (to come along / join). 'gesellen' without 'sich' can also mean that something is added or connected, but it is rather literary. The words can be confused because both express closeness or joining. In everyday language, 'verbinden' is usually safer; 'sich gesellen zu' fits when someone joins a group.
gesellen
Nach dem Training gesellte sich Tom zu seinen Freunden auf die Bank.
After training, Tom joined his friends on the bench.
verbinden
Das gemeinsame Projekt verbindet die Schüler aus zwei Klassen.
The joint project brings together the students from two classes.
In real life
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