vergeben
taken
Already in a romantic relationship and therefore not available for a new partnership.
EXAMPLE
Sie findet ihn attraktiv, aber er ist schon vergeben.
She finds him attractive, but he is already taken.
vergeben
taken / assigned
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Meanings
vergeben
assigned
Already allocated or awarded to someone and therefore no longer available.
EXAMPLE
Alle Plätze im Sprachkurs sind bereits vergeben.
All the places in the language course have already been assigned.
vergebene Liebesmüh
a waste of effort
An effort or exertion that does not produce any success.
EXAMPLE
Ihn zum Mitkommen überreden zu wollen, ist vergebene Liebesmüh.
Trying to persuade him to come along is a waste of effort.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry vergeben, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | vergeben |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to vergeben.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to vergeben.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to vergeben.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
When referring to a romantic relationship, „vergeben“ (taken) is often used with „sein“ (to be). Typical extensions are „glücklich vergeben“ (happily in a relationship), „fest vergeben“ (firmly committed), and „seit Jahren vergeben“ (in a relationship for years).
EXAMPLE
Meine Schwester ist seit drei Jahren glücklich vergeben.
My sister has been happily in a relationship for three years.
Typical collocations
When referring to available resources, „vergeben“ (assigned) is often used with words such as „Plätze“ (places), „Stellen“ (positions), „Termine“ (appointments), or „Aufträge“ (contracts). Words such as „bereits“ (already) or „schon“ (already) often indicate that nothing is available anymore.
EXAMPLE
Die begehrten Termine im Dezember sind schon vergeben.
The coveted appointments in December have already been taken.
Fixed expression
„Vergebene Liebesmüh“ (a waste of effort) is a fixed expression and is usually used predicatively with „sein“ (to be). It often follows an action whose lack of success is being evaluated.
EXAMPLE
Ohne die nötigen Unterlagen einen Antrag zu stellen, wäre vergebene Liebesmüh.
Submitting an application without the necessary documents would be a waste of effort.
In real life
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