All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| geben | give | Transfer to another person | Strong: gibt, gab, hat gegeben; no separable prefix. Jemandem etwas geben: recipient dative, thing accusative. Es gibt takes an accusative object. |
| abgeben | hand in; hand over | Completed work, forms and items at a counter | Separable ab-: gibt ab, gab ab, hat abgegeben. Etwas abgeben takes accusative; bei + dative can identify the receiving place or person. |
| angeben | state; also show off | Details on forms or boasting | Separable an-: gibt an, gab an, hat angegeben. Etwas angeben takes accusative. In the boasting sense: mit etwas angeben, with mit + dative. |
| aufgeben | give up; submit or assign in set phrases | Abandoning efforts; orders and tasks | Separable auf-: gibt auf, gab auf, hat aufgegeben. Can stand without an object for give up; otherwise often accusative. Assigned work may also have a dative recipient. |
geben
Meaning and usage: Geben describes making something available to someone, without necessarily specifying the kind of transfer. It can describe handing over a book, lending it or giving it as a present when context supplies that information. Es gibt is a separate useful pattern meaning there is or there are.
Grammar: Strong: gibt, gab, hat gegeben; no separable prefix. Jemandem etwas geben: recipient dative, thing accusative. Es gibt takes an accusative object.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester den Schlüssel.
I give my sister the key.
abgeben
Meaning and usage: Abgeben commonly suggests delivering something to the person or place responsible for receiving it. It is useful for schoolwork, applications, keys and luggage. Other senses include giving off heat and making a statement.
Grammar: Separable ab-: gibt ab, gab ab, hat abgegeben. Etwas abgeben takes accusative; bei + dative can identify the receiving place or person.
Bitte gib das Formular am Empfang ab.
Please hand in the form at reception.
angeben
Meaning and usage: Angeben provides requested facts such as an address or date. In informal conversation, angeben without such an object can mean boast. Mit can name what someone boasts about. Context prevents the two senses from being confused.
Grammar: Separable an-: gibt an, gab an, hat angegeben. Etwas angeben takes accusative. In the boasting sense: mit etwas angeben, with mit + dative.
Geben Sie bitte Ihre Telefonnummer an.
Please state your telephone number.
aufgeben
Meaning and usage: Aufgeben may mean stop trying or abandon a goal. It also means place an order in eine Bestellung aufgeben and assign work in jemandem Hausaufgaben aufgeben. These are ordinary meanings, not exceptions you can ignore.
Grammar: Separable auf-: gibt auf, gab auf, hat aufgegeben. Can stand without an object for give up; otherwise often accusative. Assigned work may also have a dative recipient.
Auch nach zwei Versuchen gibt sie nicht auf.
Even after two attempts, she does not give up.
Overlap and context
Abgeben and aufgeben can both involve handing something to an organization, but fixed context matters: baggage can be aufgegeben for transport, while a completed form is typically abgegeben. Angeben is not automatically negative: stating an address is neutral. The negative interpretation comes from its boasting sense.
Common mistakes
- Do not interpret every aufgeben sentence as surrender: check for Bestellung, Paket or homework.
- In a main clause, split these prefixes: Ich gebe das Formular ab.
Memory aid: Give a key, hand in a form, state an address, give up an attempt. Add one object to each verb so you remember a usable phrase.
Try it
Complete: Im Formular muss ich meine Adresse ___ .
Show the answer
angeben
The form asks you to state information; the infinitive keeps the prefix attached.