01
weiterreichen
to pass
To pass an object on to the next person in a row.
example
Könntest du mir bitte das Salz weiterreichen?
Could you please pass me the salt?
weiterreichen
to pass on
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Weiterreichen' (to pass on) is a separable verb. The prefix 'weiter-' comes at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er reichte die Unterlagen an seine Kollegin weiter.
He passed the documents on to his colleague.
Sentence structure with dative
When an object is passed on to a person, that person is in the dative. The pattern is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) weiterreichen.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte die Butter weiterreichen?
Can you please pass me the butter?
Sentence structure with 'an'
When information or a task is passed on, the recipient is often connected with the preposition 'an' and the accusative. The pattern is: etwas (accusative) an jemanden (accusative) weiterreichen.
EXAMPLE
Ich werde Ihre Beschwerde an die zuständige Abteilung weiterreichen.
I will pass your complaint on to the responsible department.
Context clue
Whether an object (meaning 1) or information (meaning 2) is meant can be recognized from the object. Concrete things like 'Salz' (salt) or 'Buch' (book) point to the first meaning, while abstract things like 'Frage' (question), 'Aufgabe' (task), or 'Information' (information) point to the second.
EXAMPLE
Reichst du mir den Stift weiter? (Gegenstand)
Will you pass me the pen? (object)
Compare with
weiterreichen vs übergeben
to hand over / to vomit
'übergeben' and 'weiterreichen' both mean that something goes from one person to another. 'übergeben' often sounds more deliberate and sometimes more official: a person receives an object, an office, or a responsibility. 'weiterreichen' puts more emphasis on something going to the next person or being passed along in a chain. This can be an object at the table, but also information or a task. They can be confused with tasks and information. If it is about a formal handover, 'übergeben' fits better. If something is simply being passed on to the next person, 'weiterreichen' sounds more natural.
weiterreichen
Lisa reicht die Nachricht zur Vorbereitung an ihre Schwester weiter.
Lisa passes the message on to her sister for preparation.
übergeben
Vor der Reise hat sie die wichtigen Unterlagen am Bahnhof übergeben.
Before the trip, she handed over the important documents at the train station.
In real life
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