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
thereby / in the process / at the same time
Example
Er kocht das Abendessen und hört dabei leise Musik.
He cooks dinner while listening to soft music.
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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
More Connectors & Prepositions words
📖 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 "thereby / in the process / at the same time" 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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