01
getrennt
separate
Not together in terms of space; separated from one another.
example
Die beiden schlafen in getrennten Zimmern.
The two sleep in separate rooms.
getrennt
separate / separated
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Getrennt' (separate/separated) is the past participle of the verb 'trennen' (to separate). It is very often used as an adjective to describe a state of separation.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Gruppen wurden getrennt voneinander untergebracht.
The two groups were accommodated separately from one another.
Sentence structure with 'von'
If you want to express what something or someone is separated from, you use the preposition 'von' with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Seit dem Umzug lebt er getrennt von seiner Familie.
Since the move, he has been living separately from his family.
Fixed expression
In a restaurant, the question 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' (Together or separately?) is very typical. If you do not want to pay together, you answer 'Getrennt, bitte!' (Separately, please!) or say 'Wir möchten getrennt zahlen.' (We would like to pay separately.)
EXAMPLE
Kellner: „Zahlen Sie zusammen oder getrennt?“ - Gast: „Getrennt, bitte.“
Waiter: 'Are you paying together or separately?' - Guest: 'Separately, please.'
Context: relationships
In the context of couples and relationships, 'getrennt leben' (to live separately) or 'getrennt sein' (to be separated) means that the relationship has ended, but the people are not yet divorced.
EXAMPLE
Sie sind seit letztem Herbst getrennt und werden sich bald scheiden lassen.
They have been separated since last fall and will soon get divorced.
Compare with
getrennt vs zusammen
together
'zusammen' and 'getrennt' form a clear opposite pair. 'zusammen' means that people are together in one place, do something together, or are in a relationship as a couple. 'getrennt' means that people or things are not together, but separate. For couples, 'getrennt' can also mean that the relationship or shared life has ended. When paying, people also say 'getrennt' if each person pays separately.
getrennt
Im Restaurant bezahlen die beiden Freunde getrennt.
At the restaurant, the two friends pay separately.
zusammen
Am Wochenende besuchen wir zusammen meine Eltern.
On the weekend, we are visiting my parents together.
In real life
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