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
halbieren
to halve
In a figurative sense, to reduce the amount, value, or number of something by half.
EXAMPLE
Durch die Krise hat sich der Wert der Aktien halbiert.
Because of the crisis, the value of the shares halved.
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 leaves open how many parts are created and whether they are the same size. Halbieren more precisely means dividing something into two roughly equal parts. Teilen works as a general description; halbieren works when the number and size of the parts matter.
halbieren
Sie halbiert den Kuchen.
She halves the cake.
teilen
Sie teilt den Kuchen in zwei annähernd gleiche Stücke.
She divides the cake into two roughly equal pieces.
In real life
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