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
kleiden
to suit
To look good on someone, to be flattering to someone's appearance. In this case, the subject is the item of clothing.
EXAMPLE
Die Farbe Blau kleidet dich wirklich ausgezeichnet.
The color blue really suits you exceptionally well.
kleiden
to clothe
To give someone clothing or dress someone. This meaning is rather formal or literary.
EXAMPLE
Die reiche Witwe war dafür bekannt, die armen Kinder der Stadt zu kleiden und zu speisen.
The rich widow was known for clothing and feeding the poor children of the town.
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
Jemandem stehen and jemanden kleiden can both express that a piece of clothing looks flattering on someone. Jemandem stehen is the usual everyday expression, while jemanden kleiden sounds more formal or elevated. The main difference here is one of style.
kleiden
Das dunkle Jackett kleidet ihn ausgesprochen gut.
The dark jacket suits him exceptionally well.
stehen
Das dunkle Jackett steht ihm wirklich gut.
The dark jacket really suits him.
In real life
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