bitten (Verb): to ask, to request

verb

to ask, to request

Bitten: irregular strong verb meaning 'to ask' or 'to request'. Uses auxiliary haben; past stem change i→a (ich bat), participle 'gebeten'. Common constructions: 'jemanden bitten' (to ask someone) and 'jemanden um etwas bitten' (to request something). Not reflexive; used with accusative objects or 'um' plus accusative.

Examples

Der Nachbar bat um Hilfe, weil das Dach im Sturm beschädigt worden war.

The neighbor asked for help because the roof had been damaged in the storm.

Sie bat um Ruhe.

She asked for silence.

Sie baten den Lehrer um Rat.

They requested advice from the teacher.

Details

Auxiliary Verbhaben

SeparableNo

RegularNo

Verb Typestrong

Stem Changesi -> a in Präteritum (ich bat); Partizip II uses ge- prefix: gebeten

Principal Forms

Präsens (3. Sg.)er/sie/es bittet

Präteritum (3. Sg.)er/sie/es bat

Perfekter/sie/es hat gebeten

Mnemonics

👁️imagine someone politely extending a hand asking for something

👂bitten ~ 'bitten' like 'to ask' — remember 'bitten' sounds like English 'bitten' but with different meaning

Notes

Strong (irregular) verb: Präteritum 'bat', Partizip II 'gebeten'. Uses haben as auxiliary. Do not confuse with the polite particle 'bitte'.

Vocabulary Explorer

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Nearby in Dictionary

bisschen bitte Bitte bitten bitter blass Blatt

bitten 🔊