begegnen

German

Etymology

be- +‎ gegen (“against”) +‎ -en

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bəˈɡeːɡnən/

• audio:

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Verb

1. (intransitive) to meet, encounter

Usage notes

Despite the initial prefix be-, which is usually a transitive verb marker (and thus indicates that the verb governs the accusative), the object of this verb is always in the dative case. Also, the auxiliary for this verb is sein rather than haben:

• Ich bin dem Lehrer in der Pause begegnet. ― I encountered/met the teacher during the break.

Derived terms

• Begegnen
• Begegner
• Begegnung
• begegnend
• begegnet

Further reading

• “begegnen” in Duden online