geben
to give (something to someone) · there is / there are · to result in, to produce
geben means 'to give' in the sense of handing something to someone. It is also used in the very common impersonal expression 'es gibt' meaning 'there is/there are'. Learners should know that geben is irregular and often used with a dative object for the recipient.
What geben means
- to give (something to someone) — when transferring an object or abstract thing to another person
- there is / there are — in the fixed expression 'es gibt' + accusative
- to result in, to produce — when something leads to a certain outcome, often with 'das gibt'
Heard in real German videos
Lines where geben was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Ja, ihr könnt ihnen die Brotreste geben.Yes, you can give them the bread scraps.
- Gibt es auch Blaubeereis?Is there also blueberry ice cream?
Example sentences
- Kannst du mir bitte das Salz geben?Can you please give me the salt?
- Es gibt viele Restaurants in dieser Straße.There are many restaurants on this street.
- Das gibt Ärger mit dem Chef.That will cause trouble with the boss.
Grammar
| Present (ich/du/er) | gebe / gibst / gibt |
|---|---|
| Simple past | gab |
| Perfect | hat gegeben |
| Separable | no |
| Case | dative (recipient) + accusative (thing) |
The imperative for du is 'gib' (not 'gebe').
Common phrases
- es gibtthere is / there are
- jemandem Bescheid gebento let someone know
- auf etwas gebento value something, to care about something
- Gas gebento step on the gas, to speed up
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often say 'es gibt' when they mean 'it gives' literally, but 'es gibt' is an impersonal expression meaning 'there is/are'. Also, they may forget the dative for the person: 'Ich gebe dir das Buch' not 'Ich gebe du das Buch'.
Don’t confuse it with
- schenken — geben is neutral 'to give', while schenken means 'to give as a gift'.
- reichen — reichen can also mean 'to hand/pass', but is more formal and often used for passing at table.
Questions learners ask
How do I use 'es gibt'?
Use 'es gibt' + accusative to say 'there is/are'. The verb stays singular even with plural objects: 'Es gibt viele Leute'.
What is the difference between 'geben' and 'schenken'?
Geben is general 'to give', while schenken specifically means to give as a present, often for birthdays or special occasions.
Is 'geben' a dative verb?
Yes, the recipient is in the dative case: 'Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch' (I give the man the book). The thing given is accusative.