Sorry! Search is currently unavailable while the database is being updated, it will be back in 5 mins!

"For" Is Not Always "Für"

The German accusative preposition für is often translated to the English preposition "for":

 

Hier gibt es viele verschiedene Sachen

Here there are many different things

für die Familie und für die Kinder zu sehen.

for the family and for the children to see.

Caption 8, Berlin - Domäne Dahlem

 Play Caption

 

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

 

However, the English preposition "for" may also be translated to German as aus:

 

Aber aus irgendeinem Grund wollte Pandora im Haus bleiben.

But for some reason Pandora wanted to stay in the house.

Captions 33-34, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Die Büchse der Pandora

 Play Caption

 

Or as zum:

 

Fast jedes Ei, das zum Verkauf in Supermärkten gedacht ist,

Almost every egg that is intended for sale in supermarkets

muss mit einem Zahlencode gekennzeichnet sein.

must be marked with a number code.

[Kennzeichnung von Hühnereiern]

[Identification of chicken eggs]

Captions 9-10, Bioeier - Wie funktioniert der Erzeugercode?

 Play Caption

 

Or as seit:

 

Und seit wie lange schon? -Seit sechzehn Jahren.

And for how long already? -For sixteen years.

Caption 6, Frisbee - Karlsruher Weihnachtsturnier

 Play Caption

 

Remember too that foreign words in general may be translated differently according to context. Just because "for" translates to seit in the above example does not mean that seit always translates back to "for":

 

Aber seit ich in Berlin lebe, arbeite ich als Kellnerin und Barista in Cafés.

But since I've lived in Berlin, I've worked as a waitress and barista in cafés.

Caption 16, Berlin - Judith und die „Brezel Bar“

 Play Caption

 

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

Further Learning
Search on Yabla German for the English word "for" to see examples of how this preposition can be translated to German in different contexts.


 

You May Also Like