01
schenken
to give
To give someone something as a gift without expecting anything in return.
example
Ich schenke meiner Mutter zum Geburtstag immer Blumen.
I always give my mother flowers for her birthday.
schenken
to give / pour
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure with dative
When you give someone something as a gift, the person receiving the gift is in the dative, and the thing being given is in the accusative. The pattern is: subject (nominative) + 'schenkt' + person (dative) + thing (accusative).
EXAMPLE
Er schenkt seiner Freundin einen Ring.
He gives his girlfriend a ring.
Reflexive expression
In the meaning 'auf etwas verzichten' (to do without something), 'schenken' (to skip) is used reflexively with the dative: 'sich etwas schenken'. It means that you do yourself the favor of not doing something.
EXAMPLE
Die lange Diskussion können wir uns schenken; wir sind uns ja einig.
We can skip the long discussion; we agree anyway.
Register: colloquial
The expression 'sich etwas schenken' in the sense of 'auf etwas verzichten' (to do without something) is colloquial. It is often used in everyday conversations.
EXAMPLE
Den Abwasch schenke ich mir heute und mache ihn morgen früh.
I'm skipping the dishes today and will do them tomorrow morning.
Context: drinks
This meaning is used almost exclusively for pouring drinks, especially alcoholic ones like wine or beer, into a drinking vessel.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte noch etwas Wasser schenken?
Can you please pour me some more water?
Compare with
schenken vs geben
to give
'geben' and 'schenken' can both mean that someone lets another person have something. 'geben' is more general and only says that something goes to another person. 'schenken' more specifically means that it is a gift and that nothing is expected in return. Learners may confuse the words because a gift is also given. If you want to emphasize the gift aspect, use 'schenken'; otherwise, 'geben' is often enough.
schenken
Zum Abschied schenkt sie ihrer Lehrerin eine kleine Pflanze.
As a farewell gift, she gives her teacher a small plant.
geben
Sie gibt ihrem Bruder den Schlüssel, weil sie früher gehen muss.
She gives her brother the key because she has to leave earlier.
In real life
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