01
hergeben
to hand over
To give something that you own or are holding to another person, often in response to a request or demand.
example
Gib sofort den Ball her, du bist nicht an der Reihe!
Hand over the ball right now; it's not your turn!
hergeben
to hand over / serve as
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Hergeben' (to hand over / serve as) is a separable verb. The prefix 'her' separates from the verb in a main clause and goes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Gib mir sofort mein Buch her!
Hand over my book right now!
Meaning of the prefix
The prefix 'her-' expresses movement toward the speaker. So 'Hergeben' (to hand over) literally means to give something in the direction of the speaker.
EXAMPLE
Komm mal rüber und gib mir den Hammer her!
Come over here and hand me the hammer!
Distinguishing meanings
The reflexive form 'sich hergeben für' (to stoop to something) always has a negative meaning. When the verb is not reflexive, it means either to physically hand something over or that something serves as material for a purpose.
EXAMPLE
Er gibt seinen Stift nicht her.
He won't hand over his pen.
Typical use
In the meaning 'überreichen' (to hand over), 'hergeben' is very often used in the imperative as a direct, sometimes impatient demand.
EXAMPLE
Gib das sofort her, das ist gefährlich!
Hand that over right now; it's dangerous!
Usage pattern
When something 'dient' (serves) as something else, the subject is the source or material. What it serves as appears as the accusative object in the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Diese alten Kisten geben gutes Brennholz her.
These old crates would make good firewood.
Reflexive with preposition
In the meaning 'sich für etwas Negatives zur Verfügung stellen' (to make oneself available for something negative), the verb is always reflexive and is used with the fixed preposition 'für' and the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann nicht glauben, dass sie sich für so ein schmutziges Spiel hergibt.
I can't believe she would stoop to such a dirty game.
Compare with
hergeben vs geben
to give
'geben' and 'hergeben' can both mean that something goes from one person to another. 'geben' is the general word and fits neutrally in many situations. 'hergeben' is used more when someone gives up something from their hand or from their possession, often because another person demands or needs it. It can also sound as if the person is not giving it up very willingly. The words can be confused because both have to do with handing something over. If it is simply about a normal transfer, 'geben' is more natural. If the act of giving something up is important, 'hergeben' fits better.
hergeben
Für das Spiel musste Paul seinen Ball kurz hergeben.
For the game, Paul had to hand over his ball for a moment.
geben
Beim Termin hat mir die Ärztin ein neues Rezept gegeben.
At the appointment, the doctor gave me a new prescription.
In real life
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