besorgen
besorgen en 30 secondes
- Besorgen is a versatile German verb primarily meaning 'to get' or 'to procure' something needed, often implying a task or errand.
- It differs from 'kaufen' by focusing on the act of obtaining rather than just the financial transaction involved in buying.
- The word can also mean 'to take care of' or 'to handle' a situation or administrative task in more formal contexts.
- Grammatically, it is a regular verb that often takes both a dative object (for whom) and an accusative object (what).
The German verb besorgen is a versatile and essential word in everyday communication, primarily categorized at the A2 level but possessing nuances that extend into C2 proficiency. At its core, it means to get, procure, or obtain something that is needed or requested. Unlike the simple verb kaufen (to buy), besorgen often implies a sense of responsibility, effort, or the completion of a task. When you say you will besorgen the tickets, you aren't just saying you'll pay for them; you are taking on the logistical burden of ensuring they are in your possession. This distinction is crucial for learners who want to sound more natural and precise in their German expression.
- Primary Action
- The act of acquiring an item, often involving movement or a specific errand to fulfill a requirement.
- Responsibility
- Taking care of a task or managing a situation so that a specific outcome is achieved.
- Emotional State
- While the verb itself is active, its past participle besorgt is frequently used as an adjective meaning 'worried' or 'concerned'.
"Kannst du bitte auf dem Heimweg noch Brot besorgen?"
In a professional context, besorgen can refer to the procurement of materials or the handling of administrative affairs. It suggests a proactive approach. For instance, an office manager might besorgen new stationery, implying they identified the need, found a supplier, and executed the acquisition. This 'task-oriented' nature makes it a favorite in workplace German. Furthermore, the word carries a weight of reliability; if you promise to besorgen something, there is an implicit social contract that the task will be completed without further reminders.
"Ich muss noch ein Geschenk für die Party besorgen."
Historically, the prefix be- often indicates that an action is being applied to an object in a comprehensive or transformative way. In the case of sorgen (to care/worry), the addition of be- shifts the focus from an internal feeling of care to an external action of taking care of something. This linguistic evolution explains why the word bridges the gap between 'getting' and 'caring for'. In modern usage, the 'getting' aspect is dominant, but the 'caring for' aspect remains in phrases like jemandem etwas besorgen (to provide someone with something) or the older usage of managing a household.
"Wer besorgt bei euch die Einkäufe?"
- Colloquial Usage
- In some contexts, 'es jemandem besorgen' can be highly informal or even vulgar, meaning to 'give it to someone' (punish or sexual context). Use with caution!
"Wir müssen uns dringend neues Werkzeug besorgen."
"Ich werde die Unterlagen bis morgen besorgen."
Using besorgen correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure and the subtle shift in meaning depending on the case. As a transitive verb, it typically takes an accusative object—the thing you are getting. However, it often appears with a dative object to indicate for whom the item is being procured. For example, "Ich besorge dir (dative) einen Kaffee (accusative)". This double-object construction is very common in helpful, everyday offers.
- Conjugation: It is a regular (weak) verb. Ich besorge, du besorgst, er/sie/es besorgt. Past: besorgte. Perfect: hat besorgt.
- Reflexive Use: You can use it reflexively with sich (Dativ) etwas besorgen to mean 'to get something for oneself'. "Ich muss mir ein neues Handy besorgen."
- Task Management: It is often used to describe the act of running errands. "Ich habe heute viel zu besorgen" (I have a lot of things to get/errands to do).
When using besorgen in the sense of 'taking care of', it often replaces erledigen. If you say "Ich besorge das Geschäftliche", you are saying you will handle the business matters. This usage is slightly more formal and implies a level of authority or designated responsibility. In contrast, the 'getting' meaning is very grounded and practical. You besorgen groceries, tickets, information, or tools. It implies that these things were not immediately at hand and required some effort to bring into the current sphere of activity.
Another important aspect is the word's relationship with the adjective besorgt. While besorgen is the action, besorgt sein is the state of being worried. "Ich bin besorgt um deine Gesundheit" (I am worried about your health). It is vital not to confuse the verb's active meaning with this passive/adjectival state. If you say "Ich besorge dich", it sounds like you are going to 'get' the person (potentially in a threatening or sexual way), whereas "Ich bin um dich besorgt" means you care about them. Precision with prepositions and auxiliary verbs is key here.
You will encounter besorgen in a variety of settings, from the domestic to the professional. In a household, it is the standard word for discussing shopping lists and chores. Parents might ask children to besorgen something from the cellar, or roommates might argue over who was supposed to besorgen the toilet paper. It is the language of logistics within the home.
In the workplace, besorgen is used when discussing resources. A project manager might ask, "Wer kann die nötigen Lizenzen besorgen?" (Who can get the necessary licenses?). It sounds more professional than holen (to fetch) because it implies a process of procurement. In news reports, you might hear it in the context of investigative journalism: "Die Reporter besorgten sich geheime Dokumente" (The reporters obtained secret documents). Here, it highlights the effort and perhaps the difficulty involved in getting the items.
Socially, it is the verb of 'the hook-up'—not necessarily in a romantic sense, but in terms of favors. "Kannst du mir Karten für das Konzert besorgen?" (Can you get me tickets for the concert?). It suggests that the person being asked has the connections or the ability to navigate the system to obtain something that might be hard to get. It is a word that acknowledges the other person's agency and capability.
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is overusing kaufen when besorgen would be more appropriate. While kaufen focuses strictly on the exchange of money for goods, besorgen focuses on the act of getting it. If you are doing a favor for someone, besorgen is almost always the better choice because it emphasizes your effort rather than the price tag.
Another mistake is the confusion between besorgen and versorgen. Versorgen means 'to provide for' or 'to supply' (like a doctor treating a wound or a city providing water). Besorgen is about the initial act of getting the item. You besorgen the bandages so that the doctor can versorgen the patient. Mixing these up can lead to significant confusion in medical or logistical contexts.
Finally, learners often struggle with the reflexive use. Remember that if you are getting something for yourself, you use the dative reflexive pronoun: "Ich besorge mir...". Forgetting the 'mir' makes the sentence feel incomplete, as if you are getting the item for an unspecified third party. Also, be extremely careful with the phrase "es jemandem besorgen". In a fit of anger, saying "Ich besorge es dir!" might be intended as 'I'll get it for you', but without a clear noun (like 'das Buch'), it sounds like a threat or a sexual proposition.
To truly master besorgen, you must understand its neighbors in the German vocabulary. Holen is the most common synonym, but it is much simpler; it means 'to go and get' something that is already nearby. You holen a glass of water from the kitchen, but you besorgen a specific type of wine from a specialty shop. Besorgen implies a search or a dedicated trip.
Beschaffen is a more formal version of besorgen. It is often used in official, legal, or technical contexts. A company beschafft raw materials; a government beschafft information. It sounds more clinical and less personal than besorgen. If you use beschaffen in a casual conversation about milk, you will sound like a robot.
Erwerben is another related verb, meaning 'to acquire' or 'to purchase'. It is high-register and often used for long-term acquisitions like property, skills, or knowledge. You erwerben a degree or a house. Besorgen, by contrast, is usually for everyday items or immediate needs. Understanding these distinctions allows you to navigate different social registers with ease, choosing the word that fits the gravity of the acquisition.
How Formal Is It?
""
""
""
""
Guide de prononciation
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Exemples par niveau
Ich besorge das Brot.
I am getting the bread.
Simple Subject + Verb + Accusative Object.
Kannst du Milch besorgen?
Can you get milk?
Modal verb 'können' with infinitive at the end.
Wir besorgen Blumen.
We are getting flowers.
Plural subject 'wir'.
Besorg bitte Äpfel!
Please get apples!
Imperative form (Du-form).
Er besorgt den Wein.
He is getting the wine.
Masculine accusative 'den Wein'.
Sie besorgt ein Geschenk.
She is getting a gift.
Neuter accusative 'ein Geschenk'.
Ich muss Wasser besorgen.
I must get water.
Modal verb 'müssen'.
Besorgst du die Pizza?
Are you getting the pizza?
Question form with verb first.
Ich besorge dir ein Ticket für das Kino.
I'll get you a ticket for the cinema.
Dative 'dir' (for whom) + Accusative 'ein Ticket' (what).
Hast du die Getränke schon besorgt?
Have you already gotten the drinks?
Perfect tense with 'haben' + 'besorgt'.
Wir müssen uns noch Stühle besorgen.
We still need to get ourselves some chairs.
Reflexive dative 'uns'.
Mein Bruder besorgt heute das Abendessen.
My brother is getting dinner today.
Subject 'Mein Bruder' is 3rd person singular.
Kannst du mir einen Stift besorgen?
Can you get me a pen?
Dative 'mir' + Accusative 'einen Stift'.
Ich besorge die Karten, wenn du das Popcorn kaufst.
I'll get the tickets if you buy the popcorn.
Conditional sentence with 'wenn'.
Sie hat alles für die Party besorgt.
She got everything for the party.
Perfect tense.
Wir besorgen uns morgen die neuen Bücher.
We are getting the new books for ourselves tomorrow.
Reflexive use with 'morgen' (future meaning).
Ich werde mich darum kümmern, die Unterlagen zu besorgen.
I will take care of obtaining the documents.
Future tense + 'zu' infinitive clause.
Es war schwierig, Ersatzteile für das alte Auto zu besorgen.
It was difficult to get spare parts for the old car.
Infinitive construction with 'zu'.
Könntest du mir bitte die Adresse von dem Restaurant besorgen?
Could you please get me the address of the restaurant?
Konjunktiv II for polite requests.
Ich habe mir online ein günstiges Notebook besorgt.
I got myself a cheap notebook online.
Reflexive dative 'mir' in perfect tense.
Wer besorgt bei euch normalerweise die Einkäufe?
Who usually takes care of the shopping at your place?
Use of 'besorgen' as 'taking care of a task'.
Wir müssen dringend neues Material besorgen, bevor wir weitermachen.
We urgently need to get new material before we continue.
Subordinate clause with 'bevor'.
Er hat versprochen, die Blumen für die Hochzeit zu besorgen.
He promised to get the flowers for the wedding.
Verb 'versprechen' + 'zu' infinitive.
Ich bin besorgt, weil ich die Medikamente nicht besorgen konnte.
I am worried because I couldn't get the medicine.
Contrast between adjective 'besorgt' and verb 'besorgen'.
Die Firma muss sich erst das nötige Kapital besorgen.
The company must first obtain the necessary capital.
Reflexive 'sich' with abstract object 'Kapital'.
Es ist deine Aufgabe, die Genehmigungen rechtzeitig zu besorgen.
It is your task to obtain the permits in time.
Noun-verb combination 'Aufgabe ... zu besorgen'.
Trotz der Krise gelang es ihm, Vorräte zu besorgen.
Despite the crisis, he managed to obtain supplies.
Preposition 'Trotz' + Genitive.
Ich habe mir die Informationen diskret besorgt.
I obtained the information discreetly.
Adverb 'diskret' modifying the action.
Man sollte sich rechtzeitig um ein Visum besorgen.
One should take care of getting a visa in good time.
Wait, 'besorgen' is transitive; 'sich um etwas kümmern' is better, but 'ein Visum besorgen' is correct.
Er besorgte die gesamte Organisation des Events im Alleingang.
He handled the entire organization of the event single-handedly.
Meaning 'to handle/manage'.
Kannst du mir die Telefonnummer des Anwalts besorgen?
Can you get me the lawyer's phone number?
Genitive 'des Anwalts'.
Wir besorgten uns die Erlaubnis, das Gelände zu betreten.
We obtained permission to enter the site.
Abstract object 'Erlaubnis'.
Es gilt, die Beweise auf legalem Wege zu besorgen.
It is necessary to obtain the evidence by legal means.
Fixed expression 'Es gilt...'.
Die Beschaffung von Rohstoffen ist schwieriger geworden, als sie zu besorgen.
The procurement of raw materials has become harder than simply getting them.
Comparison between noun 'Beschaffung' and verb 'besorgen'.
Er hat sich durch Bestechung Zugang zum Archiv besorgt.
He obtained access to the archive through bribery.
Prepositional phrase 'durch Bestechung'.
Die Regierung versucht, sich eine Mehrheit im Parlament zu besorgen.
The government is trying to secure a majority in parliament.
Metaphorical use of 'besorgen'.
In seiner neuen Position besorgt er vor allem die administrativen Belange.
In his new position, he primarily handles administrative matters.
Formal use meaning 'to manage'.
Es ist unumgänglich, sich fachmännischen Rat zu besorgen.
It is indispensable to obtain expert advice.
Adjective 'unumgänglich'.
Wie hast du es geschafft, diese exklusiven Informationen zu besorgen?
How did you manage to obtain this exclusive information?
Interrogative 'Wie' with perfect tense.
Sie besorgte die Verpflegung für die gesamte Expedition.
She took care of the provisions for the entire expedition.
Historical/Professional context.
Die Akribie, mit der er die Quellen besorgte, war beeindruckend.
The meticulousness with which he procured the sources was impressive.
Relative clause with 'mit der'.
Man muss sich die nötige Autorität erst einmal besorgen, bevor man führen kann.
One must first acquire the necessary authority before one can lead.
Abstract/Philosophical use.
Er besorgte die Geschäfte des Hauses mit äußerster Diskretion.
He managed the affairs of the house with the utmost discretion.
High-register usage of 'besorgen'.
Es ist fraglich, ob sich die fehlenden Mittel so einfach besorgen lassen.
It is questionable whether the missing funds can be obtained so easily.
Passive substitute 'lassen sich + infinitive'.
Die Art und Weise, wie sie sich Gehör besorgte, war bemerkenswert.
The way she made herself heard was remarkable.
Idiomatic 'sich Gehör besorgen'.
Trotz widriger Umstände besorgte er die Auslieferung der Waren.
Despite adverse circumstances, he ensured the delivery of the goods.
Preposition 'Trotz' with Genitive.
In jener Zeit besorgte er die Korrespondenz für den alternden Dichter.
In those days, he handled the correspondence for the aging poet.
Literary/Historical context.
Es gelte nun, sich die notwendige Rückendeckung in der Partei zu besorgen.
The task now is to secure the necessary support within the party.
Konjunktiv I for indirect speech/necessity.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Ich besorge das.
Kannst du das besorgen?
Ich muss noch etwas besorgen.
Wer besorgt die Getränke?
Besorg mir das bitte.
Sich Hilfe besorgen.
Alles ist besorgt.
Das Geschäftliche besorgen.
Sich Gewissheit besorgen.
Es jemandem besorgen (Caution: Slang).
Souvent confondu avec
Versorgen means to provide for/supply over time, while besorgen is the act of getting.
Entsorgen means to dispose of/get rid of something.
This is an adjective meaning 'to be worried', not the action of getting.
Expressions idiomatiques
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
Besorgen implies a completed action of getting something.
Avoid 'es jemandem besorgen' unless you intend the slang meaning.
Choose 'besorgen' over 'holen' for more significant errands.
- Using 'besorgen' for 'picking up a person'.
- Confusing 'besorgen' with 'versorgen'.
- Using 'besorgen' as an adjective for 'worried'.
- Forgetting the dative reflexive when getting something for oneself.
- Overusing 'kaufen' in errand contexts.
Astuces
Errand Master
Use 'besorgen' when talking about your 'To-Do' list. It sounds more active than just saying you will buy things. It shows you are organized and taking care of business.
Dative Benefit
Always remember the dative object if you are doing a favor. 'Ich besorge DIR was' sounds much friendlier and clearer than just 'Ich besorge was'. It highlights the social connection.
Beyond Buying
Remember that 'besorgen' doesn't always involve money. You can 'besorgen' information, a signature, or a permit. Use it whenever effort is required to get something.
Slang Alert
Be careful with 'es jemandem besorgen'. Without a specific noun like 'das Buch', this phrase is a common euphemism for sex or a threat of violence. Stick to naming the object!
The 'Be-' Prefix
Think of 'be-' as 'making it happen'. 'Sorgen' is just the feeling of care, but 'besorgen' is the action of making that care physical by getting what is needed.
Professional Tone
In a work email, use 'besorgen' to show you are taking responsibility for a resource. 'Ich werde die nötigen Daten besorgen' sounds reliable and professional.
Natural Flow
In spoken German, 'besorgen' is often used in the perfect tense. 'Hast du's besorgt?' is a very common way to check if a task was completed.
Context Clues
If you hear 'besorgt' at the end of a sentence, check if there is a 'hat' or 'ist'. 'Hat besorgt' is the verb; 'ist besorgt' is the adjective 'worried'.
Task Lists
When writing a shopping list or a plan, use the heading 'Zu besorgen' (Things to get). It's a standard and clear way to label your tasks.
Reliability
In Germany, if you say you will 'besorgen' something, people expect you to follow through. It's a word that carries a weight of personal commitment.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
BE-SORGEN: Think of 'BE-ing the one who takes the SORROW (effort) out of getting something.'
Origine du mot
From Middle High German 'besorgen', meaning 'to take care of' or 'to provide'.
Contexte culturel
Using 'beschaffen' instead of 'besorgen' in casual settings sounds overly bureaucratic.
Germans value the 'Erledigung' aspect of 'besorgen'.
Asking someone to 'besorgen' something is a common way to ask for a favor.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"Wer besorgt bei euch normalerweise die Geschenke für Weihnachten?"
"Musst du heute nach der Arbeit noch etwas besorgen?"
"Wo kann man hier am besten frisches Gemüse besorgen?"
"Kannst du mir helfen, ein Ticket für das Konzert zu besorgen?"
"Was war das Schwierigste, das du jemals besorgen musstest?"
Sujets d'écriture
Schreibe über eine Liste von Dingen, die du diese Woche besorgen musst.
Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du jemandem etwas Wichtiges besorgt hast.
Was würdest du besorgen, wenn du auf eine einsame Insel gehen müsstest?
Wie organisierst du deine täglichen Besorgungen?
Gibt es etwas, das man mit Geld nicht besorgen kann?
Questions fréquentes
10 questions'Kaufen' focuses on the financial transaction of buying. 'Besorgen' focuses on the act and effort of getting the item, whether you buy it or find it elsewhere. It sounds more like completing a task. For example, you 'besorgen' a gift, which involves finding it and buying it. It's a more holistic term for the process.
Generally, no, unless you are using it in a very specific (and often vulgar) slang context. If you want to say you are 'getting' someone (like picking them up), use 'abholen'. If you are 'taking care of' someone, use 'sich um jemanden kümmern' or 'versorgen'. Using 'besorgen' with a person as the object can be easily misunderstood.
Yes, 'besorgen' is a regular (weak) verb. Its forms are: besorgen (infinitive), besorgte (simple past), and hat besorgt (past participle). This makes it very easy to conjugate once you know the basic patterns of German verbs. There are no stem changes to worry about in the present tense.
You would say: 'Ich habe mir einen Kaffee besorgt.' Note the use of the dative reflexive pronoun 'mir'. This indicates that the action was done for your own benefit. It's a very common way to express getting something for yourself in daily German conversation.
'Besorgung' is the noun form, usually used in the plural 'Besorgungen'. It means 'errands' or 'shopping tasks'. You often hear the phrase 'Besorgungen machen', which means 'to run errands' or 'to go shopping for specific items needed for the house'.
No, the verb 'besorgen' itself does not mean 'to be worried'. However, the past participle 'besorgt' is used as an adjective meaning 'worried'. So, 'Ich bin besorgt' means 'I am worried', but 'Ich besorge etwas' means 'I am getting something'. It's a common point of confusion for learners.
It is neutral and can be used in almost any context. It is perfectly fine for casual conversation with friends, and it is also appropriate in professional or business settings. It is a very safe and versatile word to have in your vocabulary.
In a more formal or business context, you might use 'beschaffen' (to procure) or 'erwerben' (to acquire). These words sound more official and are often used for large-scale procurement or legal acquisitions, whereas 'besorgen' is more for everyday items.
Yes, you can 'besorgen' digital items like software, information, or tickets. For example: 'Ich muss mir noch ein Online-Ticket besorgen.' It works for anything that requires an effort to obtain, whether physical or digital.
Usually, it does not require a preposition as it takes a direct accusative object. However, if you are getting something *from* somewhere, you use 'von' or 'aus'. For example: 'Ich besorge das Buch aus der Bibliothek.' If you are getting it *for* someone, you use the dative case.
Teste-toi 180 questions
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 'besorgen' when you want to express the proactive act of getting something for yourself or others, emphasizing the fulfillment of a need or the completion of a logistical task rather than just the purchase.
- Besorgen is a versatile German verb primarily meaning 'to get' or 'to procure' something needed, often implying a task or errand.
- It differs from 'kaufen' by focusing on the act of obtaining rather than just the financial transaction involved in buying.
- The word can also mean 'to take care of' or 'to handle' a situation or administrative task in more formal contexts.
- Grammatically, it is a regular verb that often takes both a dative object (for whom) and an accusative object (what).
Errand Master
Use 'besorgen' when talking about your 'To-Do' list. It sounds more active than just saying you will buy things. It shows you are organized and taking care of business.
Dative Benefit
Always remember the dative object if you are doing a favor. 'Ich besorge DIR was' sounds much friendlier and clearer than just 'Ich besorge was'. It highlights the social connection.
Beyond Buying
Remember that 'besorgen' doesn't always involve money. You can 'besorgen' information, a signature, or a permit. Use it whenever effort is required to get something.
Slang Alert
Be careful with 'es jemandem besorgen'. Without a specific noun like 'das Buch', this phrase is a common euphemism for sex or a threat of violence. Stick to naming the object!
Exemple
Kannst du mir bitte Brot besorgen?
Contenu associé
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur daily_life
Abend
A1evening
Abend, der
A2Le soir est le moment entre l'après-midi et le moment où tu vas te coucher.
Abfall
A2Ce sont des choses que l'on jette, comme les ordures.
abholen
A1Aller chercher quelqu'un ou quelque chose. Je vais te chercher à la gare.
abmelden
A1Abmelden signifie se désinscrire ou se déconnecter, pour signaler que tu quittes un service ou un événement.
abwaschen
A2Nettoyer la vaisselle, les couverts et les ustensiles après avoir mangé.
Adresse
A1L'adresse est l'indication du lieu où quelqu'un habite.
Alltag
A2La vie quotidienne ou le quotidien. C'est la routine normale de tous les jours.
anhaben
A2Cela décrit les vêtements que tu portes en ce moment.
anmelden
A1S'inscrire, se connecter, déclarer. Exemple: Je m'inscris au cours. (Ich melde mich für den Kurs an.)