verb
to operate, to serve
B1
Means: to operate (a machine), to serve (customers), and to use. Has both non‑reflexive and reflexive uses: non‑reflexive 'ein Gerät bedienen' = operate; reflexive 'sich bedienen' = help oneself/use. Auxiliary: haben. Regular weak verb (bedient). Common in service and technical contexts.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Er bediente die Maschine.
He operated the machine.
Ich habe mich selbst bedient.
I served myself.
Kannst du die Maschine bedienen?
Can you operate the machine?
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture hands operating the controls of a machine labeled 'bedienen'.
Sounds like 'be dinner' — imagine serving dinner (serve).
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
'bedienen' can be used both transitively (to operate a device) and reflexively (sich bedienen = to help oneself). Context determines whether it's about operating equipment or serving/waiting on someone.