01
sich kleiden
to dress
To get dressed, to wear certain clothing. Often refers to the style or type of clothing.
example
Für das Vorstellungsgespräch solltest du dich formell kleiden.
For the job interview, you should dress formally.
kleiden
to dress / suit
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Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'kleiden' (to dress/to suit) belongs to the word family around 'das Kleid' (dress) and 'die Kleidung' (clothing). All of these words have to do with the topic of getting dressed and clothing.
EXAMPLE
Sie achtet sehr auf ihre Kleidung und kauft nur hochwertige Stücke.
She pays close attention to her clothing and only buys high-quality pieces.
Distinguishing meanings
The grammar helps distinguish the meanings. The reflexive form 'sich kleiden' means to get dressed/to dress (m01). The form with a dative object ('etwas kleidet jemanden') means that it looks good on someone (m02).
EXAMPLE
Er kleidet sich immer sehr sportlich.
He always dresses very sportily.
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'sich anziehen' (to get dressed), 'kleiden' is always used reflexively: 'sich kleiden'. It is often followed by an adverb that describes the style.
EXAMPLE
Für die Oper hat sie sich sehr elegant gekleidet.
For the opera, she dressed very elegantly.
Dative construction
When an item of clothing looks good on someone, the person is the dative object. The subject of the sentence is the item of clothing or the color.
EXAMPLE
Dieses helle Jackett kleidet Sie ausgezeichnet.
This light-colored jacket suits you exceptionally well.
Elevated style
The meaning 'jemanden mit Kleidung versorgen' (to provide someone with clothing) is rare today and is used almost only in formal, literary, or religious language.
EXAMPLE
Die Hilfsorganisation hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, die Bedürftigen zu kleiden.
The aid organization has made it its mission to clothe those in need.
Compare with
kleiden vs stehen
to stand
'stehen' and 'kleiden' can both mean that clothing or a color suits a person. In everyday language, 'stehen' is much more common: 'Die Farbe steht dir gut.' (The color suits you.) 'kleiden' is used in a similar way, but it sounds a little more elevated or elegant. What is important for both: the item of clothing or the color is what looks good; the person is usually in the dative. In normal conversation, 'stehen' is more natural; in somewhat more formal descriptions, 'kleiden' can fit well.
kleiden
Das dunkle Kleid kleidet sie bei der Bewerbung sehr gut.
The dark dress suits her very well for the job interview.
stehen
Der neue Anzug steht ihm sehr gut.
The new suit looks very good on him.
In real life
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