01
mitbringen
to bring along
To bring something or someone to a place that you yourself are going to.
example
Kannst du zur Party einen Salat mitbringen?
Can you bring along a salad to the party?
mitbringen
to bring along / have
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Mitbringen' (to bring along / have) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'mit-' goes at the end, while in a subordinate clause it remains attached to the verb. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' stands between 'mit' and 'bringen'.
EXAMPLE
Ich bringe heute Abend einen Kuchen mit.
I'm bringing along a cake this evening.
Word structure
The verb is made up of 'mit' (with/along) and 'bringen' (to bring). The meaning is often literal: to bring something or someone with you when you go somewhere.
EXAMPLE
Soll ich zum Picknick eine Decke mitbringen?
Should I bring along a blanket to the picnic?
Context clue
The figurative meaning 'to have a skill' is used almost exclusively in professional contexts, for example in job advertisements or job interviews.
EXAMPLE
Der ideale Kandidat sollte Führungserfahrung mitbringen.
The ideal candidate should have leadership experience.
Typical collocations
In the professional meaning, 'mitbringen' (to have) is often combined with abstract nouns, such as 'Erfahrung' (experience), 'Kenntnisse' (knowledge/skills), 'Qualifikationen' (qualifications), or 'Flexibilität' (flexibility).
EXAMPLE
Für diesen Job müssen Sie verhandlungssichere Englischkenntnisse mitbringen.
For this job, you must have business-fluent English skills.
Compare with
mitbringen vs haben
to have
'haben' and 'mitbringen' can both express that someone has a skill, experience, or quality. 'haben' describes possession or a state in a completely neutral way. 'mitbringen' emphasizes that this skill or experience is important for a particular situation, for example for a job, a task, or a team. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases you are talking about something a person has. 'haben' is more general; 'mitbringen' sounds more natural when talking about requirements or useful experience.
mitbringen
Eva bringt für die Prüfung schon gute Kenntnisse in Mathe mit.
Eva already has good math knowledge for the exam.
haben
Der neue Mitarbeiter hat viel Erfahrung im Verkauf.
The new employee has a lot of experience in sales.
In real life
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