When you want to say that you cover something, the German verb you need is bedecken. It's a regular verb, which makes it easier to learn. You use bedecken just like you would use 'to cover' in English.
For example, you can bedecken a table with a tablecloth, or you can bedecken yourself with a blanket. It's a really useful word for describing everyday actions.
You'll often use bedecken when talking about putting something over another thing, like a blanket over a bed or snow covering the ground. Think of it as 'to cover' in the most straightforward sense.
It's a regular verb, so its conjugations are predictable, which is good news!
You might also hear it used for things like clouds covering the sky.
When you're learning German at a B1 level, you're moving beyond basic survival phrases and starting to talk about more nuanced topics. Verbs like "bedecken" become important for describing things in more detail. You'll often use it in everyday situations, like talking about covering a table or a book.
Understanding verbs with prefixes, even simple ones, is a key part of B1 German. While "bedecken" doesn't have a separable prefix, getting comfortable with verbs that have clear meanings like "to cover" helps build your vocabulary foundation.
Focus on using it in different contexts to solidify your understanding. It's a practical word that will come up often in conversations and texts.
When you want to express the act of putting something over another thing, the verb "bedecken" is a good choice. It's often used for covering surfaces, like a table or the ground. Think of it as placing a blanket over something to hide it or protect it.
When we say bedecken, we're talking about putting something over another thing, completely or partially. Think of covering a table with a tablecloth, or snow covering the ground. It's about obscuring or protecting something by placing a layer on top of it. You might also use it in a more abstract sense, like clouds covering the sky. The key idea is that one thing is being placed over another.
bedecken 30秒で
- to cover
- to blanket
- to spread over
発音ガイド
- misplacing stress
- pronouncing 'e' as in 'bed' instead of a schwa sound at the beginning
難易度
short
short
short
short
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知っておくべき文法
bedekken is a regular weak verb. Conjugate it like other regular weak verbs. For example, in the present tense, it follows the pattern: ich bedecke, du bedeckst, er/sie/es bedeckt, wir bedecken, ihr bedeckt, sie/Sie bedecken.
Ich bedecke den Tisch mit einem Tuch. (I cover the table with a cloth.)
It takes a direct object (accusative case). This means the thing being covered will be in the accusative case.
Sie bedeckt das Kind mit einer Decke. (She covers the child with a blanket.)
In the perfect tense, it uses 'haben' as the auxiliary verb and forms the past participle as 'bedeckt'.
Er hat den Boden mit Blättern bedeckt. (He has covered the ground with leaves.)
It can be used reflexively with 'sich' to mean 'to cover oneself' or 'to become covered'.
Die Berge bedecken sich mit Schnee. (The mountains cover themselves with snow. / The mountains become covered with snow.)
When used in a passive construction, 'bedecken' will use 'werden' and the past participle 'bedeckt'.
Der Tisch wird mit einem Tuch bedeckt. (The table is covered with a cloth.)
レベル別の例文
Ich bedecke den Tisch.
I cover the table.
Du bedeckst das Buch.
You (singular, informal) cover the book.
Er bedeckt den Stuhl.
He covers the chair.
Sie bedeckt die Flasche.
She covers the bottle.
Es bedeckt das Spielzeug.
It covers the toy.
Wir bedecken die Teller.
We cover the plates.
Ihr bedeckt die Geschenke.
You (plural, informal) cover the presents.
Sie bedecken die Möbel.
They cover the furniture.
Bitte bedecken Sie den Tisch mit einem Tuch.
Please cover the table with a cloth.
Here, 'bedecken' is used with the accusative object 'den Tisch'.
Die Wolken bedecken den Himmel.
The clouds cover the sky.
'Die Wolken' is the subject in the nominative, 'den Himmel' is the accusative object.
Er bedeckt sein Gesicht mit den Händen.
He covers his face with his hands.
'Sich bedecken' can be reflexive, but here it's simply 'bedecken' with 'sein Gesicht' as the direct object.
Schnee bedeckt die Berge.
Snow covers the mountains.
'Schnee' is the subject, 'die Berge' is the direct object.
Sie bedeckte das Kind mit einer Decke.
She covered the child with a blanket.
Past tense (Präteritum) 'bedeckte' with accusative object 'das Kind'.
Ein großer Hut bedeckt ihren Kopf.
A big hat covers her head.
Simple present tense with 'ein großer Hut' as the subject.
Die Blätter bedecken den Boden im Herbst.
The leaves cover the ground in autumn.
'Die Blätter' is plural nominative, 'den Boden' is accusative.
Der Nebel bedeckt die ganze Stadt.
The fog covers the whole city.
'Der Nebel' as the subject in the nominative case.
Der Schnee bedeckte die Berge und Wälder in der Ferne.
The snow covered the mountains and forests in the distance.
Here, 'bedeckte' is the simple past (Präteritum) of 'bedecken'.
Sie bedeckte ihr Gesicht mit den Händen, als sie die traurige Nachricht hörte.
She covered her face with her hands when she heard the sad news.
'bedeckte' is again in the simple past.
Die Wolken bedeckten den Himmel vollständig, bevor der Sturm hereinbrach.
The clouds covered the sky completely before the storm broke.
A common use of 'bedecken' in natural phenomena descriptions.
Er versuchte, seine Spuren zu bedecken, um nicht entdeckt zu werden.
He tried to cover his tracks so as not to be discovered.
'Spuren bedecken' is a common idiom meaning 'to cover one's tracks'.
Manche Pflanzen bedecken den Boden wie ein grüner Teppich.
Some plants cover the ground like a green carpet.
Here, 'bedecken' is in the present tense.
Die alten Mauern sind mit Efeu bedeckt.
The old walls are covered with ivy.
'bedeckt' here is the past participle, used in a passive construction.
Der Vorhang bedeckte die gesamte Fensterfront und verdunkelte den Raum.
The curtain covered the entire window front and darkened the room.
Another example of 'bedeckte' in the simple past.
Um das Essen vor Insekten zu schützen, sollte man es mit einem Tuch bedecken.
To protect the food from insects, one should cover it with a cloth.
This example uses the infinitive 'bedecken' with a modal verb 'sollte'.
よく混同される語
This is the noun for 'blanket' or 'ceiling', which is related to covering but isn't a verb.
This is the noun for 'covering' or 'cover', but again, it's a noun, not the verb 'bedecken'.
This adjective means 'dense' or 'tight', and while something dense might provide good covering, it's not the verb itself.
文法パターン
慣用句と表現
"jemandem den Rücken bedecken"
to cover someone's back
Keine Sorge, ich bedecke dir den Rücken, wenn du eine Pause machst. (Don't worry, I'll cover your back if you take a break.)
neutral"sich mit Ruhm bedecken"
to cover oneself in glory
Der Athlet hat sich bei den Olympischen Spielen mit Ruhm bedeckt. (The athlete covered himself in glory at the Olympic Games.)
neutral"einen Mantel des Schweigens über etwas bedecken"
to cover something with a cloak of silence, to hush something up
Man hat versucht, einen Mantel des Schweigens über den Skandal zu bedecken. (They tried to cover the scandal with a cloak of silence.)
neutral"mit etw. bedeckt sein"
to be covered with something
Der Tisch war mit einer dicken Staubschicht bedeckt. (The table was covered with a thick layer of dust.)
neutral"sich die Hände bedecken"
to cover one's hands (e.g., to keep warm)
Es war so kalt, dass ich mir die Hände mit Handschuhen bedecken musste. (It was so cold that I had to cover my hands with gloves.)
neutral"eine Decke über etwas bedecken"
to cover something with a blanket
Bitte bedecke die Pflanzen, bevor es friert. (Please cover the plants before it freezes.)
neutral"jemandem den Kopf bedecken"
to cover someone's head (e.g., with a hat)
Sie bedeckte ihrem Kind den Kopf mit einer Mütze. (She covered her child's head with a hat.)
neutral"eine Fläche bedecken"
to cover an area
Schnee bedeckte die gesamte Landschaft. (Snow covered the entire landscape.)
neutral"mit Haaren bedeckt sein"
to be covered with hair
Der Arm des Mannes war stark mit Haaren bedeckt. (The man's arm was heavily covered with hair.)
neutral"sich (vor Kälte) bedecken"
to cover oneself (from the cold)
Zieh dir etwas Warmes an und bedecke dich gut. (Put on something warm and cover yourself well.)
neutral間違えやすい
Similar sound and meaning, but 'decken' is often used for setting a table or just a general 'cover' without the 'be-' prefix which adds a sense of completeness or thoroughly covering.
While 'bedecken' implies a more complete or extensive covering, 'decken' can be used more broadly, like 'den Tisch decken' (to set the table) or 'einen Bedarf decken' (to cover a need).
Ich decke den Tisch. (I set the table.)
Both involve something being out of sight, but 'verbergen' is specifically about hiding.
'Bedecken' means to put something over another thing. 'Verbergen' means to hide something so it cannot be seen.
Sie verbarg den Brief unter dem Kissen. (She hid the letter under the pillow.)
Another verb with 'decken' that also means 'to cover', often with a sense of closing or putting something over something else.
'Zudecken' often implies covering something up, like a pot with a lid, or covering someone with a blanket for warmth. 'Bedecken' is more general and can refer to a surface being covered.
Kannst du das Essen zudecken? (Can you cover the food?)
Can involve covering something, but specifically refers to wrapping or packaging.
'Einpacken' means to wrap something, often for transport or storage. 'Bedecken' is about placing a cover over something.
Ich muss die Geschenke einpacken. (I need to wrap the presents.)
Can mean 'to cover' in the sense of putting a cover over something, like a duvet cover.
'Überziehen' often implies pulling something over another item, like putting on clothes or a cover. 'Bedecken' is a more general act of covering a surface.
Bitte zieh den Bettbezug über die Decke. (Please put the duvet cover on the blanket.)
文型パターン
Subjekt + bedeckt + Objekt (Akkusativ).
Der Schnee bedeckt die Bäume. (The snow covers the trees.)
Subjekt + bedeckt + sich + mit + Dativ.
Sie bedeckt sich mit einer Decke. (She covers herself with a blanket.)
Subjekt + hat + Objekt (Akkusativ) + bedeckt.
Er hat das Buch bedeckt. (He has covered the book.)
Subjekt + wird + bedeckt.
Der Tisch wird bedeckt. (The table is being covered.)
Subjekt + kann + Objekt (Akkusativ) + bedecken.
Man kann den Boden mit Teppichen bedecken. (One can cover the floor with carpets.)
Subjekt + bedeckt + Objekt (Akkusativ) + vollständig.
Der Nebel bedeckt das Tal vollständig. (The fog completely covers the valley.)
Etwas + ist + bedeckt + mit + Dativ.
Die Berge sind mit Schnee bedeckt. (The mountains are covered with snow.)
Subjekt + hat + sich + mit + Dativ + bedeckt.
Sie hat sich mit Schlamm bedeckt. (She has covered herself with mud.)
語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
ヒント
Learn the principal parts
Like many German verbs, bedecken is irregular. Memorize its principal parts: bedecken (infinitive), bedeckte (past simple), bedeckt (past participle). This will help you form different tenses correctly.
Think of English cognates
While not a direct cognate, think of the English word 'deck' (as in, to deck out, or the deck of a ship that covers the hull). This can help you remember bedecken's meaning of 'to cover'.
Practice with common objects
Practice using bedecken with everyday objects. For example: 'Ich bedecke den Tisch mit einem Tuch.' (I cover the table with a cloth.) 'Sie bedeckt ihr Gesicht mit ihren Händen.' (She covers her face with her hands.)
Note its separability
Bedecken is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' always stays attached to the verb, even in sentences where other prefixes might separate. This means you won't split it like 'Ich decke den Tisch zu', but always keep it together.
Use it in passive voice
Bedecken is often used in the passive voice. For example: 'Der Berg ist mit Schnee bedeckt.' (The mountain is covered with snow.) Pay attention to the use of 'mit' (with) when expressing what something is covered with.
Distinguish from similar words
Don't confuse bedecken with 'decken' (to cover, but often in the sense of laying a table or roofing) or 'zudecken' (to cover up, often with a blanket). Bedecken has a broader sense of covering.
Look for compound nouns
While bedecken is a verb, understanding its root can help with related vocabulary. For instance, 'die Decke' means 'the blanket' or 'the ceiling' (a covering).
Listen for it in media
Try to spot bedecken in German songs, podcasts, or movies. Hearing it in context will help solidify its meaning and natural usage. How do native speakers cover things?
Create your own sentences
The best way to learn new vocabulary is to actively use it. Write 5-10 sentences using bedecken in different contexts. For example, 'Die Wolken bedecken den Himmel.' (The clouds cover the sky.)
Understand figurative use
Bedecken can also be used figuratively, for instance, to cover expenses ('Kosten bedecken') or to cover a topic ('ein Thema bedecken'). While less common at B1, be aware of this broader application.
自分をテスト 42 問
Was bedeutet 'bedecken'?
'Bedecken' means to cover.
Welches Wort passt am besten: Die Mutter ___ das Baby mit einer Decke.
The mother covers the baby with a blanket. 'Bedeckt' is the correct form of 'bedecken'.
Was macht man mit einem Tisch, wenn man ihn schützen will?
You cover a table to protect it. 'Man bedeckt ihn' means 'one covers it'.
Das Wort 'bedecken' ist ein Nomen.
'Bedecken' is a verb, not a noun.
Man kann einen Topf 'bedecken'.
Yes, you can cover a pot (e.g., with a lid).
'Bedecken' bedeutet 'to open'.
'Bedecken' means 'to cover', not 'to open'.
The correct word order for a simple sentence in German is subject, verb, object.
The verb 'bedecken' is conjugated for 'sie' (she). 'Mit einer Decke' (with a blanket) is an additional phrase.
The verb 'bedecken' is conjugated for 'er' (he). 'Sein Gesicht' (his face) is the direct object and 'mit den Händen' (with his hands) is a prepositional phrase.
The snow covers the whole landscape.
She covered her face with her hands.
Please cover the pot so the water boils faster.
Read this aloud:
Die Wolken bedecken den Himmel.
Focus: bedecken
あなたの回答：
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Read this aloud:
Ich werde den Tisch mit einem Tuch bedecken.
Focus: bedecken
あなたの回答：
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Read this aloud:
Manche Pflanzen muss man im Winter bedecken.
Focus: bedecken
あなたの回答：
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Imagine it's raining heavily. Describe what you would do to 'bedecken' (cover) yourself or something important.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Wenn es stark regnet, würde ich meinen Regenschirm aufspannen, um mich zu bedecken. Ich würde auch eine Regenjacke anziehen. Meine Tasche würde ich mit einer Plastiktüte bedecken, damit sie nicht nass wird.
You are preparing a picnic. What items would you use to 'bedecken' (cover) the food to protect it from insects?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Für ein Picknick würde ich Frischhaltefolie oder eine große Serviette verwenden, um das Essen zu bedecken und es vor Insekten zu schützen. Vielleicht auch eine spezielle Abdeckung für Speisen.
Describe a situation where you need to 'bedecken' (cover) a table.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ich muss den Tisch mit einer sauberen Tischdecke bedecken, bevor die Gäste zum Abendessen kommen. Das schützt den Tisch vor Flecken und sieht schöner aus.
Was bedeckte der Schnee zuerst?
Read this passage:
Es war ein kalter Winterabend. Der erste Schnee fiel leise und begann, die Dächer der Häuser zu bedecken. Die Straßen waren bald weiß, und die Bäume trugen eine glitzernde Schicht Schnee. Die Kinder freuten sich schon darauf, am nächsten Tag im Schnee zu spielen.
Was bedeckte der Schnee zuerst?
Der Text sagt: 'begann, die Dächer der Häuser zu bedecken'.
Der Text sagt: 'begann, die Dächer der Häuser zu bedecken'.
Warum bedeckte die alte Frau ihr Enkelkind?
Read this passage:
Die alte Frau legte eine warme Decke über ihr Enkelkind, um es zu bedecken. Sie wollte sicherstellen, dass das Kind während des Mittagsschlafs nicht friert. Das Kind schlief schnell ein, eingehüllt in die weiche Decke.
Warum bedeckte die alte Frau ihr Enkelkind?
Der Text erklärt: 'Sie wollte sicherstellen, dass das Kind während des Mittagsschlafs nicht friert.'
Der Text erklärt: 'Sie wollte sicherstellen, dass das Kind während des Mittagsschlafs nicht friert.'
Was muss mit Folie bedeckt werden, bevor die Wand gestrichen wird?
Read this passage:
Bevor wir die Farbe auf die Wand auftragen, müssen wir die Möbel gut mit Folie bedecken. Sonst bekommen sie Farbspritzer und werden schmutzig. Es ist wichtig, alles sorgfältig abzudecken, um später keine Probleme zu haben.
Was muss mit Folie bedeckt werden, bevor die Wand gestrichen wird?
Der Satz sagt: 'müssen wir die Möbel gut mit Folie bedecken.'
Der Satz sagt: 'müssen wir die Möbel gut mit Folie bedecken.'
The clouds cover the sky.
Please cover the table with a cloth.
The snow completely covered the landscape.
Read this aloud:
Der Nebel wird die Berge bald bedecken.
Focus: bedecken
あなたの回答：
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Read this aloud:
Könnten Sie bitte diese Formulare mit Ihren Daten bedecken?
Focus: bedecken
あなたの回答：
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Read this aloud:
Nach dem Regen bedeckte sich der Boden mit kleinen Pfützen.
Focus: bedecken
あなたの回答：
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Der Schnee ____ die Landschaft mit einer weißen Decke.
In this sentence, 'Der Schnee' is singular and the past tense (Präteritum) is required to describe a completed action. 'bedeckte' is the correct past tense conjugation for 'bedecken' with a singular subject.
Nach dem Regen ____ die Wolken den Himmel immer noch.
'Die Wolken' is plural, and the present tense (Präsens) is needed to describe an ongoing action. 'bedecken' is the correct present tense conjugation for 'bedecken' with a plural subject.
Er hatte vergessen, seine Pflanzen vor dem Frost zu ____.
The infinitive form 'zu bedecken' is required here as it follows 'zu' in an infinitive clause.
Die Angst ____ sein Gesicht, als er die Nachricht hörte.
'Die Angst' is singular, and the past tense (Präteritum) is appropriate for a completed action in the past. 'bedeckte' is the correct past tense conjugation.
Du solltest den Tisch ____, bevor du das Essen servierst.
The infinitive form 'bedecken' is used here as it's part of a modal verb construction ('solltest bedecken').
Die Bauarbeiter mussten das Dach mit Planen ____, um es vor dem Regen zu schützen.
The infinitive form 'bedecken' is used here as it's part of a modal verb construction ('mussten bedecken').
The dense fog banks covered the entire mountain range, enveloping it in an impenetrable gray.
Although the architect promised to cover the historic facade, the result was considered aesthetically questionable by many.
After the volcanic eruption, a fine layer of ash covered the entire region, leading to significant disruptions.
Read this aloud:
Die aufziehenden Wolken bedeckten den Himmel in Rekordzeit und ließen die Abenddämmerung früher hereinbrechen.
Focus: bedeckten
あなたの回答：
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Read this aloud:
Es ist unumgänglich, die empfindlichen Pflanzen vor dem ersten Frost zu bedecken, um Schäden zu vermeiden.
Focus: bedecken
あなたの回答：
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Read this aloud:
Die Künstlerin wählte bewusst einen durchsichtigen Schleier, um die wahre Identität des Modells nur teilweise zu bedecken.
Focus: bedecken
あなたの回答：
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Perfect score!
Summary
Remember that 'bedecken' is a versatile verb for covering things in German, from a table to a landscape.
- to cover
- to blanket
- to spread over
Learn the principal parts
Like many German verbs, bedecken is irregular. Memorize its principal parts: bedecken (infinitive), bedeckte (past simple), bedeckt (past participle). This will help you form different tenses correctly.
Think of English cognates
While not a direct cognate, think of the English word 'deck' (as in, to deck out, or the deck of a ship that covers the hull). This can help you remember bedecken's meaning of 'to cover'.
Practice with common objects
Practice using bedecken with everyday objects. For example: 'Ich bedecke den Tisch mit einem Tuch.' (I cover the table with a cloth.) 'Sie bedeckt ihr Gesicht mit ihren Händen.' (She covers her face with her hands.)
Note its separability
Bedecken is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' always stays attached to the verb, even in sentences where other prefixes might separate. This means you won't split it like 'Ich decke den Tisch zu', but always keep it together.
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