mitteilen
to inform
To give someone information or make something known; to inform someone about a matter.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt teilte dem Patienten die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung mit.
The doctor informed the patient of the examination results.
mitteilen
to communicate
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Meanings
sich mitteilen
to express oneself
To express one's own thoughts, feelings, or intentions to others and make them understandable.
EXAMPLE
Er ist sehr verschlossen und kann sich nur schwer mitteilen.
He is very reserved and can only express himself with difficulty.
Usage tips
Word formation
The verb is made up of 'mit' (with) and 'teilen' (to share/divide). The literal meaning is therefore to 'share' information 'with' someone.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir bitte Ihre neue Adresse mitteilen?
Could you please inform me of your new address?
Separable verb
'Mitteilen' (to inform/communicate) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'mit' goes at the end; in a subordinate clause, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Chef teilt uns die Neuigkeiten morgen mit.
The boss will inform us of the news tomorrow.
Dative construction
The person who receives the information is always in the dative. The information itself is in the accusative. The pattern is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) mitteilen.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe ihm meine Entscheidung bereits mitgeteilt.
I have already informed him of my decision.
Register
'Mitteilen' (to inform) is more formal than 'sagen' (to say) or 'Bescheid geben' (to let someone know). It is frequently used in written language, in emails, or in official contexts.
EXAMPLE
Wir teilen Ihnen mit, dass Ihr Antrag genehmigt wurde.
We hereby inform you that your application has been approved.
Reflexive use
In the reflexive form 'sich mitteilen' (to express oneself), the focus is on expressing one's feelings and thoughts. It is often combined with adverbs such as 'kaum' (hardly), 'schwer' (with difficulty), or 'offen' (openly).
EXAMPLE
In der Therapie lernte er, sich besser mitzuteilen.
In therapy, he learned to express himself better.
Compare with
erzählenberichteneröffnenmeldeninformierenäußernausdrückenkommunizierenverkündenweitergebenbekanntgebenübermittelnbenachrichtigen
mitteilen vs erzählen
to tell
Both words can be used to pass on news. „Mitteilen“ emphasizes deliberately informing someone about a matter, while „erzählen“ suggests more of a conversation or a more detailed account. For a factual announcement, „mitteilen“ is usually the better choice; for a personal or conversational account, „erzählen“ is more suitable.
mitteilen
Die Schulleitung teilte den Eltern die gute Nachricht per E-Mail mit.
The school administration informed the parents of the good news by email.
erzählen
Nach dem Essen erzählte Lara ihren Freunden ausführlich von der guten Nachricht.
After dinner, Lara told her friends all about the good news.
In real life
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