01
präsent
present
To be physically present; to be in attendance at a specific place.
example
Bei der wichtigen Besprechung waren alle Abteilungsleiter präsent.
All department heads were present at the important meeting.
präsent
present
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Meanings
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Usage tips
False friend
Careful: The adjective 'präsent' (present, alert) means 'anwesend' (present) or 'wach' (awake/alert). It should not be confused with the English word 'present' in the sense of 'gift'. A gift is called 'das Geschenk' in German, or more formally 'das Präsent' (noun).
EXAMPLE
Die Erinnerung an diesen Tag ist mir immer noch sehr präsent.
The memory of that day is still very present for me.
Word family
The adjective 'präsent' (present, alert) belongs to a word family connected with presence. Related words are the noun 'die Präsenz' (presence, aura) and the verb 'präsentieren' (to present, to show).
EXAMPLE
Der Redner hatte eine starke Präsenz auf der Bühne.
The speaker had a strong presence on stage.
Use in a sentence
'Präsent' (present, alert) is very often used predicatively, that is, after a verb such as 'sein' (to be), 'bleiben' (to remain), or 'wirken' (to seem/appear). Attributive use before a noun, e.g. 'ein präsenter Gedanke' (a present thought), is less common.
EXAMPLE
Der Schauspieler war auf der Bühne unglaublich präsent.
The actor was incredibly present on stage.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'present in awareness', 'präsent' (present) is often used with prepositions that describe the context. Typical phrases are 'in den Medien präsent sein' (to be present in the media), 'in der Öffentlichkeit präsent sein' (to be present in public), or 'jemandem präsent sein' (to be present in someone's mind).
EXAMPLE
Das Thema Umweltschutz ist in den Medien ständig präsent.
The topic of environmental protection is constantly present in the media.
Context clue
Whether 'präsent' (present, alert) means physical presence or mental alertness is revealed by the context. Adverbs like 'körperlich' (physically) or 'geistig' (mentally) often make the difference clear.
EXAMPLE
Er war zwar körperlich präsent, aber mit seinen Gedanken ganz woanders.
He was physically present, but his thoughts were somewhere else entirely.
Compare with
präsent vs aufmerksam
attentive / considerate
'aufmerksam' and 'präsent' can both mean that someone is mentally alert and focused. 'aufmerksam' emphasizes listening carefully, observing, or paying attention to details. 'präsent' puts more emphasis on someone really being there in a situation, reacting quickly, and not being mentally somewhere else. 'präsent' can also mean physically present, but here it is about mental presence. In a meeting, someone can be present but not really 'präsent'.
präsent
Im Vorstellungsgespräch wirkte Ali ruhig, klar und sehr präsent.
In the job interview, Ali seemed calm, clear, and very alert.
aufmerksam
Du bist heute sehr aufmerksam und findest jeden kleinen Fehler.
You are very attentive today and find every little mistake.
In real life
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