mitnehmen
to take along
To take or transport someone or something with you from one place to another.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mich auf dem Weg zur Arbeit mitnehmen?
Can you take me along on your way to work?
mitnehmen
to take along / take away
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
mitnehmen
to take away
To buy food or drinks in a restaurant or snack bar in order to consume them somewhere else.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe keine Zeit zu kochen, ich hole mir eine Pizza zum Mitnehmen.
I don't have time to cook; I'll get myself a pizza to take away.
mitnehmen
to wear out
To put a strong emotional or physical strain on someone, exhaust them, or make them sad.
EXAMPLE
Die anstrengende Reise hat ihn ziemlich mitgenommen.
The exhausting trip really wore him out.
mitnehmen
to take away
To gain a lesson, insight, or positive aspect for yourself from an experience or event.
EXAMPLE
Aus diesem Seminar konnte ich viel für meine persönliche Entwicklung mitnehmen.
I was able to take away a lot from this seminar for my personal development.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Mitnehmen' (to take along) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'mit' goes at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses and infinitive constructions, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich nehme auf dem Weg zur Party noch Getränke mit.
I'll take some drinks along on the way to the party.
Verb structure
The verb is made up of the prefix 'mit-' and the verb 'nehmen' (to take). The prefix 'mit-' means 'together with' or 'along' and gives the verb its characteristic meaning of taking something or someone with you.
EXAMPLE
Nimm dir eine Jacke mit, es könnte später kalt werden.
Take a jacket along; it might get cold later.
Fixed expression
In this meaning, the fixed expression 'zum Mitnehmen' (to take away / to go) is often used. For example, you might order 'einen Kaffee zum Mitnehmen' (a coffee to go).
EXAMPLE
Alle Gerichte auf der Karte gibt es auch zum Mitnehmen.
All dishes on the menu are also available to take away.
Sentence structure with strain
In this figurative meaning, the person who is emotionally or physically affected is the accusative object. The subject is the event or thing that causes the strain.
EXAMPLE
Der Tod seines Haustieres hat das Kind sehr mitgenommen.
The death of his pet really wore the child out.
Typical collocations
When gaining an insight, the preposition 'aus' (from) is often used to name the source of the experience. Typical formulations are 'etwas aus einer Situation mitnehmen' (to take something away from a situation) or 'eine Lektion mitnehmen' (to take away a lesson).
EXAMPLE
Aus diesem Fehler habe ich eine wichtige Lektion mitgenommen.
I took away an important lesson from this mistake.
Compare with
mitnehmen vs tragen
to wear / carry
Both verbs can express transporting an object. Tragen emphasizes that someone physically holds and moves it. Mitnehmen, on the other hand, emphasizes that the object accompanies the person on their way; how exactly it is transported is not important.
mitnehmen
Ich nehme den Koffer mit zum Bahnhof.
I am taking the suitcase with me to the train station.
tragen
Ich trage den Koffer die Treppe hinunter.
I am carrying the suitcase downstairs.
In real life
Loading video examples...