verbinden
to connect
To physically or technically link or join two or more things together.
EXAMPLE
Der Elektriker muss die beiden Kabel korrekt miteinander verbinden.
The electrician has to connect the two cables correctly.
verbinden
to connect / to bandage
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Meanings
verbinden
to connect
To establish a telephone or digital connection to someone.
EXAMPLE
Könnten Sie mich bitte mit der Personalabteilung verbinden?
Could you please connect me to the HR department?
verbinden mit
to associate with
To create a mental or emotional link between people, things, or ideas; to associate something with something.
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Lied verbinde ich viele schöne Erinnerungen an meine Jugend.
I associate this song with many beautiful memories of my youth.
verbinden
to bandage
To treat a wound with a bandage or cloth in order to protect or heal it.
EXAMPLE
Der Sanitäter hat ihm sofort den Arm verbunden.
The paramedic bandaged his arm immediately.
verbinden
to combine
To unite two or more qualities, elements, or concepts in one thing or person.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Design versucht, Eleganz mit Funktionalität zu verbinden.
The new design tries to combine elegance with functionality.
sich verbinden
to unite
To join together with other people or groups in order to pursue a shared goal.
EXAMPLE
Die kleinen Unternehmen haben sich verbunden, um gegen die große Konkurrenz zu bestehen.
The small companies united in order to stand up to the major competition.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verbinden' (to connect / to bandage) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'binden' (to bind) in all tenses and sentence positions.
EXAMPLE
Ich verbinde mein Handy mit dem WLAN.
I connect my phone to the Wi-Fi.
Word family
The verb 'verbinden' (to connect / to bandage) is the basis for important nouns like 'die Verbindung' (connection) and 'der Verband' (bandage; association). The different meanings of the verb are reflected in these nouns.
EXAMPLE
Die Verbindung zum Server ist fehlgeschlagen.
The connection to the server failed.
Sentence structure with 'mit'
In many meanings (physical, telephone-related, mental), 'verbinden' (to connect) follows the pattern 'etwas/jemanden mit etwas/jemandem verbinden' (to connect something/someone with something/someone). The preposition 'mit' (with) is crucial here.
EXAMPLE
Diese Brücke verbindet die Insel mit dem Festland.
This bridge connects the island with the mainland.
Fixed expression on the phone
In a telephone context, the question 'Können Sie mich bitte mit [Person/Abteilung] verbinden?' (Could you please connect me to [person/department]?) is a very polite and common phrasing to ask to be transferred.
EXAMPLE
Einen Moment, ich verbinde Sie mit der zuständigen Kollegin.
One moment, I will connect you to the colleague responsible.
Medical context
In a medical context, 'verbinden' (to bandage) means treating a wound with a bandage. The object of the sentence is the wound or the injured body part.
EXAMPLE
Die Krankenschwester hat ihm die Wunde professionell verbunden.
The nurse bandaged his wound professionally.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich verbinden' (to unite / to join together) means that people or groups join together to form a coalition or alliance. It emphasizes the shared action.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Firmen haben sich verbunden, um ein neues Produkt zu entwickeln.
The two companies united to develop a new product.
Compare with
vereinenanschließenkombinierenfügenverknüpfenvereinigenkoppelnassoziierenzusammenschließenverschmelzenzusammenhaltenseilenvernetzenzusammenfügenzusammentun
verbinden vs vereinen
to unite / combine
Both words work when several qualities or functions come together in one thing. Verbinden focuses more on linking the elements to one another, while vereinen highlights their shared presence in a single whole. Use verbinden for the connection and vereinen for the comprehensive result.
verbinden
Das neue Gerät verbindet eine Kamera und ein Mikrofon in einem Gehäuse.
The new device combines a camera and a microphone in one housing.
vereinen
Das neue Gerät vereint Kamera, Mikrofon und Lautsprecher in einem kompakten System.
The new device combines a camera, microphone, and speaker in one compact system.
In real life
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