01
verbreiten
to spread
To pass on information, news, rumors, or ideas to a large number of people.
example
Er nutzte soziale Medien, um seine Botschaft zu verbreiten.
He used social media to spread his message.
verbreiten
to spread
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is made up of the prefix 'ver-' and the adjective 'breit' (wide). Here, the prefix 'ver-' creates an action: to make something wide-spread or distribute it.
EXAMPLE
Die Organisation verbreitet Informationen über sauberes Wasser.
The organization spreads information about clean water.
Inseparable verb
'Verbreiten' (to spread) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachricht von seinem Sieg verbreitete sich schnell.
The news of his victory spread quickly.
Reflexive use
In the reflexive form 'sich verbreiten' (to spread), the verb describes a process that happens by itself. The subject is the thing that spreads, such as a virus, a fashion trend, or a plant.
EXAMPLE
Eine neue Mode verbreitet sich oft sehr schnell unter jungen Leuten.
A new fashion trend often spreads very quickly among young people.
Typical collocations
When it comes to information, 'verbreiten' (to spread) is often used with abstract nouns such as 'Nachrichten' (news), 'Gerüchte' (rumors), 'Lügen' (lies), or 'Propaganda' (propaganda).
EXAMPLE
Es ist unverantwortlich, falsche Gerüchte zu verbreiten.
It is irresponsible to spread false rumors.
Spreading sensory impressions
This meaning is used for things that you can smell or feel. Typical combinations are 'einen Duft verbreiten' (to spread a scent), 'Wärme verbreiten' (to spread warmth), or 'eine gute/schlechte Stimmung verbreiten' (to create/spread a good or bad mood).
EXAMPLE
Die Blumen auf dem Tisch verbreiten einen angenehmen Duft.
The flowers on the table spread a pleasant scent.
Compare with
verbreiten vs veröffentlichen
to publish
'veröffentlichen' and 'verbreiten' can both mean that information reaches many people. The difference is the step in the process: use 'veröffentlichen' when a text, book, video, or piece of information is officially made public, for example on a website or in a newspaper. 'verbreiten' fits when information, news, or rumors are passed on and spread among many people. So a piece of news can first be 'veröffentlicht' and then be 'verbreitet' by others. The words can be confused because both have to do with the public sphere. As a guide: 'veröffentlichen' is the first step into the public eye; 'verbreiten' is passing something on to many people.
verbreiten
Bitte verbreite keine Gerüchte, bevor wir die Fakten kennen.
Please don’t spread any rumors before we know the facts.
veröffentlichen
Das Team veröffentlicht heute den neuen Bericht auf der Webseite.
The team is publishing the new report on the website today.
In real life
Loading video examples...