Translation of German word "dabei" to English
dabei
/daːbaɪ/
How to use
The pronominal adverb dabei ('thereby / in the process / at the same time / present') refers to a prepositional object with bei. Note: the source metadata mistakenly lists this as 'None' for part of speech, and its translation as 'with him' (с ним) is too narrow; it means 'thereby/in the process/present'. It is used to indicate presence (Ich war dabei — I was there/present), simultaneous action (Er liest und isst dabei — He reads and eats in the process), or contrast ('yet / although').
🇬🇧 English
with him
Example
Er kocht das Abendessen und hört dabei leise Musik.
He cooks dinner while listening to soft music.
Der Alte mit ihm war seit Generationen in der Familie.
The old man with him had been in the family for generations.
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Common phrases
- Ich bin dabei!— I'm in! / I'm with you! (idiom)
- dabei sein— to be present / be in the process of doing (requires present participle or gerund equivalent)
- dabei helfen— to help with it
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #145 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "dabei"?▼
The German word "dabei" is defined as: "Present, included, at the same time."
What does the German word "dabei" mean?▼
The German word "dabei" means "with him" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "dabei"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "dabei" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "dabei"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Er kocht das Abendessen und hört dabei leise Musik." (which translates as "He cooks dinner while listening to soft music.").
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