01
nehmen
to take
To grasp something with your hands and bring it toward yourself.
example
Er nahm den Stift vom Tisch und begann zu schreiben.
He took the pen from the table and began to write.
nehmen
to take
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Vowel change in the present tense
'Nehmen' (to take) is a strong verb and changes its vowel in the 2nd and 3rd person singular in the present tense. The 'e' becomes an 'i': 'du nimmst', 'er/sie/es nimmt'.
EXAMPLE
Nimmst du den Bus oder die Bahn?
Are you taking the bus or the train?
Common mistake
Although 'nehmen' often means 'to take', you can't always use it. For example, you say 'ein Foto machen' (to take a photo; not 'nehmen') or 'einen Spaziergang machen' (to take a walk).
EXAMPLE
Könntest du bitte ein Foto von uns machen?
Could you please take a photo of us?
Basis for many verbs
'Nehmen' (to take) is the base verb for many important verbs with prefixes, such as 'annehmen' (to accept), 'teilnehmen' (to participate), or 'mitnehmen' (to take along).
EXAMPLE
Ich kann dich nach der Arbeit im Auto mitnehmen.
I can take you with me in the car after work.
Ordering in a restaurant
When ordering food or drinks in a restaurant or café, it is very common to use 'nehmen' (to have/take) to express your choice.
EXAMPLE
Ich nehme eine Pizza Margherita und einen Salat.
I'll have a pizza Margherita and a salad.
Using transportation
To express that you are using a means of transportation, 'nehmen' (to take) is very common. You can say 'den Bus nehmen' (to take the bus), 'die U-Bahn nehmen' (to take the subway), or 'das Taxi nehmen' (to take a taxi).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen den nächsten Zug nehmen, um pünktlich zu sein.
We have to take the next train to be on time.
Taking medicine
In the context of medicine, 'nehmen' (to take) is the standard verb for taking medication. Typical combinations are 'Tabletten nehmen' (to take tablets/pills) or 'Medizin nehmen' (to take medicine).
EXAMPLE
Haben Sie Ihre Medikamente heute schon genommen?
Have you taken your medication today?
Sentence structure with 'ernst nehmen'
In the fixed expression 'etwas ernst nehmen' (to take something seriously), the object (the thing you take seriously) stands between 'ernst' and 'nehmen'.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte diese Warnung sehr ernst nehmen.
You should take this warning very seriously.
Fixed expression with 'von'
The expression 'Abschied nehmen' (to say goodbye) requires the preposition 'von' with the dative to say who or what you are saying goodbye to.
EXAMPLE
Es ist Zeit, von den alten Gewohnheiten Abschied zu nehmen.
It is time to say goodbye to the old habits.
Fixed expression with 'auf'
The expression 'Rücksicht nehmen' (to take into account / show consideration) is always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative to show who or what is being considered.
EXAMPLE
Als Autofahrer muss man immer Rücksicht auf Fahrradfahrer nehmen.
As a driver, you must always show consideration for cyclists.
Compare with
nehmen vs geben
to give
'geben' and 'nehmen' often describe two sides of the same situation. With 'geben', something moves away from one person to another person. With 'nehmen', a person brings something toward themselves or accepts something. That is why the words are opposites. Learners may confuse them because both have to do with things, hands, and possession. Pay attention to the direction: someone who puts something away or hands it over gives. Someone who brings something toward themselves or accepts it takes.
nehmen
Im Gespräch nimmt Maria das Angebot ihrer Schwester dankbar an.
During the conversation, Maria gratefully accepts her sister's offer.
geben
Gibst du mir bitte den Schlüssel für morgen?
Can you please give me the key for tomorrow?
In real life
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