Both can mean “to receive”. “erhalten” sounds more formal and is used less in this sense. (It has other meanings, though.)
Topic:
bekommen vs. erhalten
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Do you have questions about the usage or meaning of “bekommen vs. erhalten”? Just ask here and I’ll try to clear it up.
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In addition to bekommen and erhalten, I’ve seen several other verbs that also have the idea of „receiving „ in their definitions: “entgegennehmen”, “empfangen”, “besorgen”,
„kriegen”. There are so many and I’m not clear about which is called for in a given context. Opinions/examples vary just enough on other websites to make me even more confused. Have you written any articles on the use of these? I couldn’t find any when I searched.
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I do have an article on “kriegen”, which is the one you’ll need the most out of ALL of them, including “bekommen” and “erhalten” (if you want to speak idiomatic daily German).
“entgegennehmen” – the act of taking something formally. Can be a parcel from the mailman or a prize.
“empfangen” – to receive (mainly for guests, and also broadcasts of any kind, also works for mail, but sounds a bit formal)
“besorgen” – is about going and getting, so it doesn’t really belong here, but it can be a translation for “to get” in examples that include you going somewhere to get it.
Hope that helps!
Thank you, that is all very helpful! And thank you for this website. It is really great. Whether you are at my level (beginner) or like my brother (very advanced speaker…and a total “word nerd”), your articles offer something useful and interesting for everyone. And as I’m progressing in my learning, I also find myself going back to some articles I’ve already read and I’m able to pull out some things I missed or better clarify some hazy concepts. I think your writing style and quizzes facilitate that quite nicely.
So keep up the good work, Emanuel. It is very much appreciated!
Author
Thanks a lot for this feedback :). Very awesome to read!!
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In addition to bekommen and erhalten, I’ve seen several other verbs that also have the idea of „receiving „ in their definitions: “entgegennehmen”, “empfangen”, “besorgen”,
„kriegen”. There are so many and I’m not clear about which is called for in a given context. Opinions/examples vary just enough on other websites to make me even more confused. Have you written any articles on the use of these? I couldn’t find any when I searched.
I do have an article on “kriegen”, which is the one you’ll need the most out of ALL of them, including “bekommen” and “erhalten” (if you want to speak idiomatic daily German).
The Meaning of “kriegen”
“entgegennehmen” – the act of taking something formally. Can be a parcel from the mailman or a prize.
“empfangen” – to receive (mainly for guests, and also broadcasts of any kind, also works for mail, but sounds a bit formal)
“besorgen” – is about going and getting, so it doesn’t really belong here, but it can be a translation for “to get” in examples that include you going somewhere to get it.
Hope that helps!
Thank you, that is all very helpful! And thank you for this website. It is really great. Whether you are at my level (beginner) or like my brother (very advanced speaker…and a total “word nerd”), your articles offer something useful and interesting for everyone. And as I’m progressing in my learning, I also find myself going back to some articles I’ve already read and I’m able to pull out some things I missed or better clarify some hazy concepts. I think your writing style and quizzes facilitate that quite nicely.
So keep up the good work, Emanuel. It is very much appreciated!
Thanks a lot for this feedback :). Very awesome to read!!