01
holen
to fetch / get
To go to a place in order to bring something or someone back from there.
example
Könntest du bitte eine Flasche Wasser aus dem Keller holen?
Could you please get a bottle of water from the basement?
holen
to fetch / get
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Movement concept
The verb 'holen' (to fetch/get) always describes movement to a place and movement back with a thing or person. So it means more than just 'nehmen' (to take) or 'bekommen' (to receive/get).
EXAMPLE
Ich gehe kurz in die Küche und hole uns etwas zu trinken.
I'll go to the kitchen quickly and get us something to drink.
Dative construction
You can use a dative object to indicate for whom something is fetched or gotten. This construction is very common in everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte die Zeitung vom Tisch holen?
Can you please get me the newspaper from the table?
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'herbeirufen' (to call/summon), 'holen' is usually used for professional help in urgent situations. Typical phrases are 'einen Arzt holen' (to get a doctor), 'die Polizei holen' (to call/get the police), or 'Hilfe holen' (to get help).
EXAMPLE
Das Kind ist vom Baum gefallen, hol schnell einen Arzt!
The child fell out of the tree; get a doctor quickly!
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich (Dativ) etwas holen' (to get/catch something) is often used for negative things that one gets, especially illnesses.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich gestern beim Sport erkältet und mir einen Schnupfen geholt.
I caught a cold while doing sports yesterday and got myself the sniffles.
Fixed expression
'Luft holen' (to take a breath) is a fixed combination and means 'einatmen' (to breathe in). It can also be used figuratively for a short break from a strenuous activity.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns kurz anhalten, ich muss mal Luft holen.
Let's stop for a moment; I need to catch my breath.
Compare with
holen vs bekommen
to get / receive
'bekommen' and 'holen' can both lead to someone having something. 'bekommen' emphasizes the result: something comes to me, or I obtain it. 'holen' emphasizes the action: I go somewhere and bring something or someone back. With illnesses, there is some overlap: 'eine Erkältung bekommen' and 'sich eine Erkältung holen' mean something similar, but 'sich holen' often sounds a bit more colloquial and emphasizes that you caught the illness. Learners confuse the words when they think only about the result. Rule of thumb: 'holen' is active and involves going somewhere and bringing something back; 'bekommen' is receiving or getting.
holen
Vor dem Essen holt sie schnell Brot aus der Bäckerei.
Before the meal, she quickly gets bread from the bakery.
bekommen
Zu Hause haben die Gäste zuerst eine warme Suppe bekommen.
At home, the guests first got a warm soup.
In real life
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