Leicht verwechselbare Wörter im Deutschen – Teil 2
- Many German words have similar meanings but are used in different contexts.
- Distinguishing them accurately helps avoid mistakes in speaking and writing.
📍 11. leiden an & leiden unter
Both mean "to suffer", but are used in different contexts.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| leiden an + Dative | To suffer from an illness | Er leidet an einer Grippe. (He suffers from the flu.) |
| leiden unter + Dative | To suffer due to a situation or external condition | Sie leidet unter dem Lärm. (She suffers from the noise.) |
Note:
- "Leiden an" is used for illnesses.
- "Leiden unter" is used for external factors like noise or pressure.
📍 12. meist & meistens
Both mean "mostly" or "usually", with a slight difference.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| meist | Most, the majority | Die meisten Leute mögen Kaffee. (Most people like coffee.) |
| meistens | Usually | Ich trinke meistens Tee. (I usually drink tea.) |
Note:
- "Meist" is an adjective, used to describe nouns.
- "Meistens" is an adverb, used to describe frequency.
📍 13. mehr & mehrere
Both mean "more", but used differently.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mehr | More (comparison) | Ich brauche mehr Geld. (I need more money.) |
| mehrere | Several, a certain number | Ich habe mehrere Bücher gelesen. (I have read several books.) |
Note:
- "Mehr" is used for comparisons.
- "Mehrere" indicates an unspecified quantity greater than one.
📍 14. selbst & selber
Both mean "oneself" and are mostly interchangeable.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| selbst | Oneself (more formal) | Ich habe das selbst gemacht. (I did it myself.) |
| selber | Oneself (common in speech) | Ich mache das selber. (I do it myself.) |
Note:
- "Selbst" is more common in writing and formal contexts.
- "Selber" is often used in speech.
📍 15. sich beteiligen an & teilnehmen an
Both mean "to participate", but differ in involvement.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sich beteiligen an + Dative | To actively take part | Er beteiligt sich an der Diskussion. (He takes part in the discussion.) |
| teilnehmen an + Dative | To attend, participate | Ich nehme an dem Kurs teil. (I participate in the course.) |
Note:
- "Sich beteiligen an" emphasizes active involvement.
- "Teilnehmen an" simply means to attend.
📍 16. sich freuen über & sich freuen auf
Both mean "to be happy", but differ in time.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sich freuen über + Accusative | Happy about something that has happened | Ich freue mich über dein Geschenk. (I am happy about your gift.) |
| sich freuen auf + Accusative | Looking forward to something | Ich freue mich auf den Urlaub. (I am looking forward to the vacation.) |
Note:
- "Über" is used for something that has already happened.
- "Auf" is used for something in the future.
📍 17. sich informieren über & informieren jdn über
Both relate to gathering or giving information.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sich informieren über + Accusative | To get information for oneself | Ich informiere mich über die neuen Regeln. (I am informing myself about the new rules.) |
| informieren jdn über + Accusative | To give information to someone | Der Lehrer informiert die Schüler über die Prüfung. (The teacher informs the students about the exam.) |
Note:
- "Sich informieren über" means to seek information.
- "Informieren jdn über" means to provide information to others.
📍 18. sich beschäftigen mit & sein beschäftigt mit
Both relate to being busy with something.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sich beschäftigen mit + Dative | To occupy oneself with | Ich beschäftige mich mit der Aufgabe. (I am busy with the task.) |
| sein beschäftigt mit + Dative | To be busy with | Er ist beschäftigt mit seiner Arbeit. (He is busy with his work.) |
Note:
- "Sich beschäftigen mit" emphasizes actively engaging in something.
- "Sein beschäftigt mit" describes the state of being busy.
📍 19. wissen über & wissen von
Both mean "to know about something".
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| wissen über + Accusative | To know details about something | Ich weiß viel über Geschichte. (I know a lot about history.) |
| wissen von + Dative | To know of something | Ich weiß nichts von seinem Plan. (I know nothing of his plan.) |
Note:
- "Wissen über" is used when knowing detailed information.
- "Wissen von" is used when being generally aware of something.