01
heiraten
to marry
To enter into the bond of marriage with another person. This usually happens through an official ceremony.
example
Meine Schwester heiratet nächsten Sommer ihren Verlobten.
My sister is marrying her fiancé next summer.
heiraten
to marry
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Accusative without a preposition
The verb 'heiraten' (to marry) takes a direct accusative object when you name the person. A preposition like 'mit' (with) is a common mistake and is not used. You marry someone, not *with* someone.
EXAMPLE
Er heiratet seine Jugendliebe.
He is marrying his childhood sweetheart.
Use without an object
When talking about the event of the wedding, or when it is clear from context who is getting married, the verb can also be used without an object.
EXAMPLE
Wir heiraten im Juni.
We are getting married in June.
Perfect tense with 'haben'
The perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'haben' (to have). The past participle is 'geheiratet' (married).
EXAMPLE
Sie haben vor zwei Jahren in einer kleinen Kirche geheiratet.
They got married two years ago in a small church.
Compare with
heiraten vs verheiraten
to marry / to marry off
'sich verheiraten' and 'heiraten' can both mean that two people get married. In normal everyday language, 'heiraten' is much more common and sounds more natural. 'sich verheiraten' is also understood, but it sounds a bit more formal or less modern. The words can be confused because both fit the idea of entering into marriage. The form is important: people usually say 'Anna heiratet Max' or 'Anna und Max heiraten'. 'Anna verheiratet sich mit Max' is possible, but less common.
heiraten
Nächsten Sommer heiratet er seine Partnerin im kleinen Kreis.
Next summer, he is marrying his partner in a small private ceremony.
verheiraten
Sie hat sich vor zwei Jahren mit ihrem Freund verheiratet.
She married her boyfriend two years ago.
In real life
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