verleihen
to lend
To make something available to someone for a certain period of time, often for a fee.
EXAMPLE
Die Stadtbibliothek verleiht auch E-Books.
The city library also lends e-books.
verleihen
to lend / award / give
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Meanings
verleihen
to award
To officially grant someone an award, title, or special honor.
EXAMPLE
Dem Regisseur wurde für sein Lebenswerk ein Ehrenpreis verliehen.
The director was awarded an honorary prize for his life's work.
verleihen
to give
To give something a particular quality or atmosphere.
EXAMPLE
Die goldenen Akzente verleihen dem Raum eine edle Note.
The golden accents give the room an elegant touch.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Verleihen' is the inseparable form of the verb 'leihen' (to lend/borrow). The prefix 'ver-' here emphasizes the action of giving something away or leaving it to someone else.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte deinen Stift leihen?
Can you please lend me your pen?
Sentence structure with dative
The verb 'verleihen' almost always requires two objects: the person who receives something is in the dative, and the thing being lent, awarded, or given is in the accusative. The structure is: someone 'verleiht' [person in the dative] [thing in the accusative].
EXAMPLE
Die Universität verleiht dem Professor die Ehrendoktorwürde.
The university awards the professor an honorary doctorate.
Context clue
The accusative object reveals the meaning: if it is an object (book, car), it means 'leihen' (to lend). If it is an honor (prize, title), it means 'zuerkennen' (to award). If it is a quality (shine, touch), it means 'geben' (to give).
EXAMPLE
Ich verleihe meine Werkzeuge nicht gerne.
I don't like lending my tools.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'zuerkennen' (to award), 'verleihen' is always combined with official honors. Typical phrases are: 'einen Preis verleihen' (to award a prize), 'einen Orden verleihen' (to award a medal), 'eine Auszeichnung verleihen' (to confer an award), or 'einen Titel verleihen' (to confer a title).
EXAMPLE
Der Nobelpreis wird jedes Jahr im Dezember verliehen.
The Nobel Prize is awarded every year in December.
Giving a quality
In this meaning, the subject is often a thing or an abstract concept that gives a place or situation a particular quality. The structure is: [thing] 'verleiht' (gives) [something/someone] [a quality].
EXAMPLE
Die vielen Kerzen verliehen dem Raum eine festliche Atmosphäre.
The many candles gave the room a festive atmosphere.
Compare with
verleihen vs auszeichnen
to award / to distinguish
Auszeichnen and verleihen can both be used in an official ceremony in which someone receives a prize or medal. Auszeichnen emphasizes that someone is honored for a special achievement, while verleihen places more emphasis on the official act of granting the award. Choose between them depending on whether the focus is on the honor or on the presentation of the award.
verleihen
Der Bürgermeister verlieh der jungen Musikerin die Ehrenmedaille.
The mayor awarded the young musician the Medal of Honor.
auszeichnen
Die Jury zeichnete die junge Musikerin für ihre besondere Leistung aus.
The jury honored the young musician for her special achievement.
In real life
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