teilnehmen an
to participate in
To be present at and take part in an event, course, competition, or activity.
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Jahr möchte ich am Stadtmarathon teilnehmen.
Next year I would like to participate in the city marathon.
teilnehmen
to participate / sympathize
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Meanings
teilnehmen an
to sympathize with
To show sympathy or share in another person's fate or feelings, especially in grief.
EXAMPLE
Wir nehmen aufrichtig an Ihrem schweren Verlust teil.
We sincerely sympathize with you in your heavy loss.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Teilnehmen' (to participate / sympathize) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'teil' stands at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses and infinitive constructions, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er nimmt regelmäßig an den Treffen teil.
He regularly participates in the meetings.
Preposition with dative
'Teilnehmen' (to participate / sympathize) is always used with the preposition 'an' and the dative. You take part 'an etwas' (in something) or 'an jemandem' (with someone/in someone's situation).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat an einem interessanten Workshop teilgenommen.
She participated in an interesting workshop.
Word structure
The verb is made up of 'Teil' (part) and 'nehmen' (to take). Literally, it means 'to take a part of something,' which explains the idea of participation well.
EXAMPLE
Über hundert Läufer nehmen am Marathon teil.
Over a hundred runners are participating in the marathon.
Formal use
The meaning 'Mitgefühl zeigen' (to show sympathy) is formal and is used almost exclusively in the context of grief and condolences, often in written form.
EXAMPLE
Wir nehmen aufrichtig an Ihrem schweren Verlust teil.
We sincerely sympathize with you in your heavy loss.
Compare with
beteiligenmitmachenantreteneinsteigenmitspielenmithalteneinlassenteilhabenmitwirkenmitarbeitenbeiwohnen
teilnehmen vs beteiligen
to participate / involve
Both words can be used for a shared event or activity. „Teilnehmen“ can also mean simply being present and joining in, while „sich beteiligen“ places more emphasis on active involvement. Use „teilnehmen“ for mere attendance and „sich beteiligen“ when someone contributes something themselves.
teilnehmen
Mia nahm an der Diskussion teil und hörte nur zu.
Mia attended the discussion and only listened.
beteiligen
Mia beteiligte sich an der Diskussion und stellte mehrere Fragen.
Mia took part in the discussion and asked several questions.
In real life
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