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
präsent
alert
To be mentally awake, attentive, and focused on the current situation.
EXAMPLE
Der Redner war trotz der späten Stunde sehr präsent und beantwortete alle Fragen souverän.
Despite the late hour, the speaker was very alert and answered all questions confidently.
präsent
present
To be strongly present in awareness or in public perception.
EXAMPLE
Das Thema Nachhaltigkeit ist in der Gesellschaft so präsent wie nie zuvor.
The topic of sustainability is more present in society than ever before.
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 Geschenk
gift
Geschenk is an object that someone gives to another person. Präsent, by contrast, is an adjective here and means that someone is present. Geschenk is therefore used for something handed over, while präsent is used for a person’s presence.
präsent
Die Gastgeberin ist bei der Feier persönlich präsent.
The hostess is personally present at the celebration.
Geschenk
Die Gastgeberin überreicht dem Gast ein Geschenk.
The hostess presents the guest with a gift.
In real life
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