kriegen
to get, receive · to catch (a person, illness) · to manage, succeed in doing something
Kriegen is a very common informal verb meaning 'to get' or 'to receive'. It is used in everyday spoken German instead of 'bekommen'. It can also mean 'to catch' or 'to manage' in certain contexts.
What kriegen means
- to get, receive — most common meaning, used in everyday speech
- to catch (a person, illness) — when talking about catching someone or something, or getting sick
- to manage, succeed in doing something — in phrases like 'etwas hinkriegen' (to manage something)
Heard in real German videos
Lines where kriegen was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Kriege ich bitte auch Toast? Ich auch.Can I have toast too, please? Me too.
- Oh, ich kriege noch Wechselgeld.Oh, I'm still getting change.
- Also, kriege ich jetzt gar kein Geschenk?So, do I get no present at all now?
Example sentences
- Ich kriege ein Geschenk zum Geburtstag.I get a present for my birthday.
- Kriegst du das Fenster auf?Can you get the window open?
- Er hat eine Erkältung gekriegt.He caught a cold.
- Wir kriegen Besuch von unseren Freunden.We're getting a visit from our friends.
Grammar
| Present (ich/du/er) | kriege / kriegst / kriegt |
|---|---|
| Simple past | kriegte |
| Perfect | hat gekriegt |
| Separable | no |
| Case | accusative |
Kriegen is a regular weak verb. It is often used with the accusative case for the thing received.
Common phrases
- etwas hinkriegento manage something, to pull something off
- einen Schreck kriegento get a fright
- die Krise kriegento freak out, to have a meltdown
- eins aufs Dach kriegento get told off, to get a scolding
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often confuse 'kriegen' with 'bekommen' and use 'bekommen' in informal contexts where 'kriegen' is more natural. Also, they may mistakenly use 'kriegen' to mean 'to become' (which is 'werden').
Don’t confuse it with
- bekommen — Bekommen is more formal and standard; kriegen is colloquial and more common in spoken German.
- werden — Werden means 'to become', while kriegen means 'to get' in the sense of receiving.
Questions learners ask
Is 'kriegen' a slang word?
Kriegen is colloquial but not slang. It is used in everyday spoken German by all age groups, but it is less common in formal writing.
What is the difference between 'kriegen' and 'bekommen'?
Both mean 'to get', but 'kriegen' is more informal and typical of spoken German, while 'bekommen' is neutral and used in both spoken and written German.
Can 'kriegen' mean 'to become'?
No, 'kriegen' does not mean 'to become'. The German verb for 'to become' is 'werden'.