01
gewinnen
to win
To be successful in a competition, game, fight, or election and emerge as the winner.
example
Unsere Mannschaft hat das Finale mit 3:1 gewonnen.
Our team won the final 3–1.
gewinnen
to win / gain
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Use with an object
In the meaning 'siegen' (to win), 'gewinnen' (to win) can be used with or without an accusative object. You can simply say 'gewinnen' (to win), or say what was won.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Mannschaft hat gewonnen!
Our team won!
Sentence structure for production
When something is produced or extracted, the structure 'etwas (Akkusativ) aus etwas (Dativ) gewinnen' (to obtain/extract something from something) often follows. This describes the origin or raw material.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Region wird Salz aus dem Meerwasser gewonnen.
In this region, salt is extracted from seawater.
Fixed preposition
The construction 'gewinnen an' + dative expresses an increase in a quality or value. Typical nouns here are 'Bedeutung' (importance), 'Wert' (value), 'Einfluss' (influence), or 'Attraktivität' (attractiveness).
EXAMPLE
Die Stadt hat durch den neuen Park an Attraktivität gewonnen.
The city has gained in attractiveness because of the new park.
Sentence structure for persuasion
When you convince someone, the fixed structure is: 'jemanden (Akkusativ) für etwas (Akkusativ) gewinnen' (to win someone over for something). You win a person over for an idea, a project, or a task.
EXAMPLE
Wir konnten ihn als neuen Sponsor für unser Team gewinnen.
We were able to win him over as a new sponsor for our team.
Compare with
gewinnen vs bekommen
to get / receive
'bekommen' and 'gewinnen' can both mean that you end up having something. But 'bekommen' is more general: you receive or get something, for example a gift, an answer, or an opportunity. 'gewinnen' is used when success, competition, or special effort is important. You can win a prize and then receive it. Learners confuse the words because both are often connected with a result. A practical rule is: for a game, competition, or election, say 'gewinnen'; for simply receiving or getting something, say 'bekommen'.
gewinnen
Beim Stadtlauf gewinnt sie überraschend den ersten Preis.
At the city run, she unexpectedly wins first prize.
bekommen
Lisa hat nach dem Gespräch eine Einladung zum zweiten Termin bekommen.
After the conversation, Lisa received an invitation to a second appointment.
In real life
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