vier
four
The cardinal number 4; the quantity between three and five.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto hat vier Räder.
The car has four wheels.
vier
four
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Meanings
unter vier Augen
in private
An idiom meaning that something is discussed only between two people, without any other listeners.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns das bitte später unter vier Augen klären.
Let’s please clear that up later in private.
auf allen vieren
on all fours
An idiom describing someone moving on their hands and knees.
EXAMPLE
Das Baby krabbelt schon auf allen vieren durch die Wohnung.
The baby is already crawling through the apartment on all fours.
Usage tips
Word family
The number 'vier' (four) is the basis for many other useful words. These include 'das Viertel' (a district or 1/4), 'viertens' (fourthly, as a list item), and 'viereckig' (an adjective for a shape with four corners).
EXAMPLE
Schneide den Apfel bitte in vier Viertel.
Please cut the apple into four quarters.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'unter vier Augen' means that something is discussed confidentially between only two people. The number 'vier' (four) refers to the eyes of the two people present.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte das Thema nach der Besprechung mit dir unter vier Augen diskutieren.
I would like to discuss the topic with you in private after the meeting.
Fixed expression
The expression 'auf allen vieren' describes movement on hands and knees. In this expression, the form 'vieren' is the dative plural, which is a fixed part of the idiom here.
EXAMPLE
Er rutschte auf allen vieren unter dem Tisch, um sein Handy zu suchen.
He slid on all fours under the table to look for his phone.
Compare with
vier vs für
for
“für” introduces the recipient or beneficiary of an action. “vier,” on the other hand, indicates a quantity. When listening, pay attention to whether the sentence expresses a relationship to a person or the number four.
vier
Ich bringe vier Getränke mit.
I’m bringing four drinks.
für
Ich bringe für die Gäste Getränke mit.
I’m bringing drinks for the guests.
In real life
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