01
tragen
to wear
To have clothing, jewelry, or glasses on one's body.
example
Heute trage ich meinen neuen Pullover.
Today I'm wearing my new sweater.
tragen
to wear / carry
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure with accusative
In almost all of its meanings, 'tragen' is a transitive verb that requires an accusative object. The question is: Whom or what does someone/something carry, wear, support, or bear?
EXAMPLE
Sie trägt einen eleganten Hut.
She is wearing an elegant hat.
Perfect tense with 'haben'
The perfect tense of 'tragen' is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'haben' (to have). This also applies when you carry something from one place to another, meaning when movement takes place.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die schwere Kiste allein in den Keller getragen.
I carried the heavy box down to the basement by myself.
Context clue: clothing
When the object of the verb is a piece of clothing, glasses, jewelry, or an accessory, 'tragen' means 'am Körper haben' (to wear / to have on one's body).
EXAMPLE
Er trägt selten einen Anzug.
He rarely wears a suit.
Context clue: transport
When it is about moving an object with the hands or body, a direction or destination is often mentioned in the sentence. This helps you recognize the meaning 'transportieren' (to transport/carry).
EXAMPLE
Die Mutter trägt ihr schlafendes Kind ins Bett.
The mother carries her sleeping child to bed.
Context clue: architecture
In the meaning 'stützen' (to support), the subject is often a structural element such as a column, a beam, or a foundation. The object is then the weight or another part of the structure.
EXAMPLE
Diese Säulen tragen das gesamte Gewölbe der Kirche.
These columns support the entire vault of the church.
Typical collocations
In the abstract meaning 'übernehmen' (to take on), 'tragen' is combined with specific nouns. Typical ones are: 'die Kosten tragen' (to bear the costs), 'die Verantwortung tragen' (to bear the responsibility), 'die Konsequenzen tragen' (to bear the consequences), or 'das Risiko tragen' (to bear the risk).
EXAMPLE
Als Projektleiter trägt er die volle Verantwortung.
As project manager, he bears full responsibility.
Typical collocations
When it is about having a name or title, 'tragen' is used directly with the name or title as the object. This use is rather formal.
EXAMPLE
Die Brücke trägt den Namen eines berühmten Architekten.
The bridge bears the name of a famous architect.
Literal and idiomatic
The expression 'Früchte tragen' (to bear fruit) is based on the literal meaning used with plants. Idiomatically, it means that an effort has paid off and is leading to positive results.
EXAMPLE
Seine harte Arbeit hat endlich Früchte getragen und er wurde befördert.
His hard work finally bore fruit, and he was promoted.
Compare with
tragen vs heißen
to be called / to mean
'heißen' and 'tragen' can both express that someone or something has a name. 'heißen' is the normal everyday word for this, especially with people: 'Ich heiße Anna.' (My name is Anna.) 'tragen' sounds more formal or written when it is about names, titles, or designations. For example, you can say that a building, a book, or a street bears a certain name. Learners may confuse the words because both are connected with names. As a practical rule: with people in everyday language, you almost always use 'heißen'; 'tragen' is more suitable for official names or titles.
tragen
Die Schule trägt den Namen eines bekannten Schriftstellers.
The school bears the name of a well-known writer.
heißen
Die neue Kundin heißt Frau Kaya.
The new customer is called Ms. Kaya.
In real life
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