verb
to meet, to encounter
B1
begegnen: intransitive verb meaning 'to meet' or 'to encounter'. It takes a dative object (jemandem begegnen). Uses sein as auxiliary in perfect (ich bin begegnet). Regular (weak) verb, not separable and not reflexive. Präteritum begegnete. Often implies an encounter, sometimes unexpectedly.
Examples
Während der Reise begegneten wir vielen interessanten Menschen.
During the trip we encountered many interesting people.
Sie begegnete ihm zufällig.
She met him by chance.
Ich begegne einem alten Freund.
I meet an old friend.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture two people 'be' (being) in front of each other at a corner and 'g'n- (greet) — you meet them.
Sounds like 'be-gay-nen' — imagine 'be' + 'genuine' meeting someone genuine.
Notes
begegnen is intransitive and typically takes a dative object (jemandem begegnen). In perfect tenses it commonly uses the auxiliary sein: er ist begegnet. Because the verb is intransitive, full passive paradigms are not applicable in normal usage and have been omitted from the conjugation listings. | Intransitive verb; passive forms are not applicable. Konjunktiv I Präteritum forms are not used/rare and have been marked 'not applicable'.