01
halbieren
to halve
To divide or cut something into two roughly equal parts.
example
Kannst du den Apfel für uns halbieren?
Can you halve the apple for us?
halbieren
to halve
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word formation
The verb 'halbieren' (to halve) is derived directly from the adjective 'halb' (half). The ending '-ieren' turns the adjective into a verb meaning 'to make something half'.
EXAMPLE
Wenn wir die Kosten halbieren, kann jeder mitkommen.
If we halve the costs, everyone can come along.
Context clue
The literal meaning refers to physically dividing objects such as food. The figurative meaning refers to reducing abstract things such as numbers, values, or amounts.
EXAMPLE
Bitte halbiere die Zwiebel, bevor du sie in die Pfanne gibst.
Please halve the onion before you put it in the pan.
Reflexive use
In the figurative meaning, 'halbieren' (to halve) is often used reflexively to express that a value has reduced by half on its own. The structure is then 'sich halbieren' (to be halved / to halve).
EXAMPLE
Die Zahl der Anmeldungen hat sich im Vergleich zum Vorjahr halbiert.
The number of registrations has halved compared with the previous year.
Compare with
halbieren vs teilen
to share / divide
'teilen' and 'halbieren' can both mean that something is broken down into parts. 'teilen' is more general: you can divide something into two, three, or many parts, and the parts do not always have to be the same size. 'halbieren' is more precise: it means to divide something into two equal or almost equal halves. In a figurative sense, you can also halve a number, a price, or an amount, meaning make it smaller by half. The words are easy to confuse because both have to do with dividing. When exactly two equal parts are meant, 'halbieren' is more natural.
halbieren
Meine Freundin halbiert den Apfel, damit jedes Kind ein Stück bekommt.
My friend halves the apple so that each child gets a piece.
teilen
Sie teilt den Kuchen heute mit ihren Nachbarn.
Today she shares the cake with her neighbors.
In real life
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