Translation of German word "nehmen" to English
nehmen
/nɛmən/
Meaning
VerbTo get into one's hands, possession, or control, with or without force.
How to use
The strong verb nehmen ('to take') is highly irregular in present: ich nehme, du nimmst, er nimmt. Past forms: nahm, hat genommen. It is used for food/drinks ordering, transport boardings, and taking items (Ich nehme den Bus — I take the bus).
🇬🇧 English
to take
Example
Sie nahmen Charltons Waffe aus seinen kalten, toten Händen.
They took Charlton's gun from his cold, dead hands.
Ich nehme den Teller vom Tisch.
I take the plate from the table.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- Platz nehmen— to take a seat / sit down (formal)
- Abschied nehmen— to take leave / say goodbye
- Rücksicht nehmen auf— to be considerate of / respect (requires preposition 'auf' + accusative)
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📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "nehmen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich habe genommen
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #167 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "nehmen"?▼
The German word "nehmen" is defined as: "To get into one's hands, possession, or control, with or without force."
What does the German word "nehmen" mean?▼
The German word "nehmen" means "to take" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "nehmen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "nehmen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "nehmen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Sie nahmen Charltons Waffe aus seinen kalten, toten Händen." (which translates as "They took Charlton's gun from his cold, dead hands.").
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