leisten
to perform
To accomplish, achieve, or provide something that often requires effort or ability.
EXAMPLE
Die Mitarbeiter haben im letzten Quartal hervorragende Arbeit geleistet.
The employees performed excellent work in the last quarter.
leisten
to perform / afford
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Meanings
sich etwas leisten
to afford
To have enough money to be able to buy or treat oneself to something.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Jahr können wir uns endlich einen Urlaub am Meer leisten.
This year we can finally afford a vacation by the sea.
leisten
to provide / render
To give or render something specific to someone, such as help, a service, or resistance.
EXAMPLE
Die Sanitäter leisteten dem Verletzten sofort Erste Hilfe.
The paramedics immediately provided first aid to the injured person.
sich (Dativ) etwas leisten
to allow oneself
To allow oneself a certain, often negative or unwise behavior.
EXAMPLE
So eine unüberlegte Bemerkung kann er sich in seiner Position nicht leisten.
In his position, he cannot allow himself such an ill-considered remark.
Gesellschaft leisten
to keep company
To stay with someone so that this person is not alone.
EXAMPLE
Meine Oma ist allein, deshalb gehe ich oft hin, um ihr Gesellschaft zu leisten.
My grandma is alone, so I often go over to keep her company.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'leisten' (to perform/provide/afford) is closely connected to the noun 'die Leistung' (performance, achievement). 'Leisten' is the action that leads to a 'Leistung' (performance, achievement).
EXAMPLE
Der Sportler hat eine beeindruckende Leistung gezeigt.
The athlete delivered an impressive performance.
Reflexive: dative vs. accusative
Pay attention to the case of the reflexive pronoun. 'Sich (Akkusativ) etwas leisten' means to buy or afford something. 'Sich (Dativ) etwas leisten' means to allow oneself negative behavior.
EXAMPLE
Ich leiste mir ein teures Abendessen. (kaufen)
I'm treating myself to an expensive dinner. (buy)
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'vollbringen' (to accomplish/perform), 'leisten' is often combined with abstract nouns that describe an effort. Typical examples are: 'Arbeit leisten' (to do work), 'einen Beitrag leisten' (to make a contribution), or 'Überstunden leisten' (to work overtime).
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen leisten ehrenamtliche Arbeit in ihrer Freizeit.
Many people do volunteer work in their free time.
Sentence structure: Sich etwas leisten
The structure for 'sich etwas leisten können' (to be able to afford something) is fixed: subject + können + sich (accusative) + object (accusative) + leisten. The reflexive pronoun 'sich' is obligatory here.
EXAMPLE
Ein neues Auto können wir uns im Moment nicht leisten.
We can't afford a new car at the moment.
Dative construction
When you give or render something to someone, the structure is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) leisten. Common combinations are 'Hilfe leisten' (to provide help), 'Widerstand leisten' (to offer resistance), or 'einen Schwur leisten' (to swear an oath).
EXAMPLE
Die Nachbarn leisteten der Familie nach dem Brand schnelle Hilfe.
The neighbors provided quick help to the family after the fire.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'jemandem Gesellschaft leisten' (to keep someone company) is a fixed combination. The person who should not be alone is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ich besuche meinen Großvater, um ihm etwas Gesellschaft zu leisten.
I visit my grandfather to keep him a little company.
Compare with
leisten vs geben
to give
Geben and leisten can both be associated with providing help. Hilfe geben is the general, neutral form, whereas Hilfe leisten emphasizes the support provided and often suggests an organized or more formal context. Geben is common in everyday situations; leisten is especially fitting for specific assistance.
leisten
Die Sanitäter leisten dem verletzten Kind sofort Hilfe.
The paramedics immediately provide help to the injured child.
geben
Die Nachbarin gibt dem verletzten Kind sofort Hilfe.
The neighbor immediately gives the injured child help.
In real life
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