beziehen

German

Etymology

From Middle High German beziehen, from Old High German biziohan. Equivalent to be- + ziehen. The sense “to refer” is probably influenced by Latin referre. Compare Dutch betrekken.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /bəˈt͡siːən/
  • (file)
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: be‧zie‧hen

Verb

beziehen (class 2 strong, third-person singular present bezieht, past tense bezog, past participle bezogen, past subjunctive bezöge, auxiliary haben)

  1. (reflexive, with auf + accusative) to refer, relate to
    Worauf bezieht sich dieser Satz?
    What does this sentence refer to?
    Ich beziehe mich auf Paragraf 3 der Satzung.
    I refer to paragraph 3 of the charter.
  2. Senses related to covering.
    1. (transitive) to put a sheet or cover on (a mattress, duvet etc.)
      Könntest du das Bett beziehen?
      Could you put sheets on the bed?
    2. (transitive) to upholster (a piece of furniture)
      Die Stuhllehne muss neu bezogen werden.
      The back of the chair must be re-upholstered.
    3. (reflexive, of the sky) to become overcast
      Synonyms: sich zuziehen, sich bewölken, bewölkt werden
      Der Himmel bezog sich.
      The sky became overcast.
  3. Senses related to settling in a place.
    1. (transitive, formal) to move into (a dwelling)
      Synonym: einziehen in
      Wann haben Sie die Wohnung bezogen?
      When did you move into the apartment?
    2. (transitive, military) to take up (a position)
      Synonym: einnehmen
      Die Wachsoldaten haben ihre Posten bezogen.
      The sentry soldiers have taken up their posts.
    3. (transitive, figurative) to take (a position, stand)
      Synonym: einnehmen
      Wir müssen in dieser Sache ganz deutlich Stellung/Position beziehen.
      We must take a very clear stand in this matter.
  4. Senses related to obtaining.
    1. (transitive) to draw, receive (a regular payment such as a pension or benefit)
      Synonym: empfangen
      Beziehen Sie eine Rente?
      Do you draw a pension?
    2. (transitive) to buy something regularly from the same provider
      Die Safterei bezieht ihre Äpfel von Obsthöfen aus der Umgebung.
      The juice factory procures its apples from near-by fruit farms.
    3. (transitive) to have a subscription to/for
      Er bezieht drei Tageszeitungen.
      He has subcriptions to three daily newspapers.
      Wir beziehen Kabelfernsehen.
      We are subscribed to cable TV.
    4. (transitive, Switzerland) to collect (taxes)

Conjugation

Derived terms

Further reading

  • beziehen” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
  • beziehen” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon
  • beziehen” in Duden online
  • beziehen” in OpenThesaurus.de
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