C2 Advanced Syntax 5 min read Medium

Rezipientenpassiv (Dativ-Passiv) mit 'bekommen', 'erhalten' und 'kriegen'

Use the Recipient Passive to make the person getting something the grammatical center of your sentence.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'bekommen', 'erhalten', or 'kriegen' + past participle to focus on the recipient of an action instead of the action itself.

  • Use 'bekommen' or 'erhalten' for formal contexts; 'kriegen' is strictly colloquial.
  • The subject of the sentence must be the recipient of the action.
  • The main verb must be in the Partizip II form at the end of the clause.
Recipient (Subject) + bekommen/erhalten + Partizip II

Overview

Welcome to the world of the Recipient Passive. You already know the standard passive with werden. That focuses on the action itself. But what if you want to focus on the person receiving something? This is where the Rezipientenpassiv shines. It is also known as the Dative Passive. It makes the person getting the item the star of the sentence. In English, you say "I was given a book." German uses this specific structure to achieve that same feeling. It sounds natural and very modern. You will hear it in cafes and offices everywhere. It bridges the gap between formal and casual speech perfectly. Think of it as a tool for better storytelling. It keeps the focus on people rather than objects.

How This Grammar Works

In a normal sentence, someone gives something to you. "Der Kellner bringt mir den Kaffee." Here, "mir" is the Dative object. In the Recipient Passive, we flip the script. The person who was in the Dative case becomes the Subject. Now, they are in the Nominative case. The verb bringen moves to the very end. It takes the Partizip II form: gebracht. We then add a special auxiliary verb like bekommen. The new sentence is: "Ich bekomme den Kaffee gebracht." Notice how the focus shifted to "Ich". The coffee is still there in the Accusative case. This is a neat trick to keep the flow of conversation smooth. It is like shifting the camera angle in a movie. You are now filming the person receiving the gift. Yes, even native speakers find this more comfortable than the standard passive sometimes. It feels more personal and direct.

Formation Pattern

1
Creating this structure is like following a simple recipe. Just follow these five steps carefully:
2
Find the Dative object in your active sentence.
3
Move that person to the Subject position.
4
Change their case from Dative to Nominative.
5
Pick an auxiliary verb: bekommen, erhalten, or kriegen.
6
Put the main verb at the end in Partizip II.
7
Example: "Er schenkt ihr Blumen" becomes "Sie bekommt Blumen geschenkt." The recipient "ihr" becomes the subject "Sie". The verb schenken becomes geschenkt. The auxiliary bekommt holds the sentence together. It is a very logical transformation.

When To Use It

You should use this when the recipient is important. It is great for talking about services you receive. Think about getting your hair cut or your car fixed. "Ich bekomme die Haare geschnitten" sounds much better than other options. Use it when you receive gifts, explanations, or even bills. It is perfect for workplace scenarios too. Imagine your boss promises you a promotion. You can say: "Ich habe eine Beförderung versprochen bekommen." It highlights that you are the one benefiting. In casual talk, use kriegen for a relaxed vibe. It is like the grammar equivalent of wearing sneakers. In a formal letter, use erhalten. That is like wearing a crisp suit for an interview. bekommen is your safe, all-purpose middle ground. It works everywhere from the bakery to the boardroom.

When Not To Use It

Not every verb likes the Recipient Passive. It only works with verbs that take a Dative object. Even then, the Dative must be a true recipient. Verbs like helfen or gratulieren usually do not work here. You cannot say "Ich bekomme geholfen." That sounds very strange to a German ear. Also, avoid verbs where the Dative is just a direction. If you say "Er weicht mir aus," you cannot flip it. The recipient passive needs an Accusative object to stay in the sentence. Without that "thing" being given, the structure feels empty. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. If there is no Accusative object, the light is usually red. Also, avoid using kriegen in very formal academic writing. Your professor might give you a funny look for that.

Common Mistakes

One big mistake is keeping the recipient in the Dative case. Remember, the recipient is now the subject! You must say "Ich bekomme..." and not "Mir bekommt...". Another slip-up is using the wrong auxiliary verb for the context. Using kriegen in a legal document is a bit too casual. It is like showing up to a wedding in pajamas. Some learners forget to put the main verb at the end. German loves putting the action at the very finish line. Keep that Partizip II parked at the end of the sentence. Do not confuse this with the werden passive. "Ich werde geschenkt" means you are the gift being given away! That is a very different (and slightly scary) situation. Always double-check who is getting what.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Let's compare this to the werden passive. "Der Brief wird mir geschickt" focuses on the letter. It feels a bit cold and mechanical. "Ich bekomme den Brief geschickt" focuses on you. It feels more active and involved. The werden passive is about the process. The bekommen passive is about the result for the person. Think of werden as looking at the machine. Think of bekommen as looking at the customer. There is also the sein passive for states. "Der Brief ist geschickt" just means it is done. The Recipient Passive is much more dynamic than that. It tells a tiny story about a human interaction.

Quick FAQ

Q

Is kriegen bad German?

No, it is just very informal and common.

Q

Can I use this with zeigen?

Yes! "Ich bekomme den Weg gezeigt" is perfect.

Q

Does it work in the past tense?

Absolutely. "Ich habe das Geld überwiesen bekommen."

Q

Is this used in all regions?

Yes, but kriegen is more popular in the North.

Q

Can I mention the giver?

Yes, use von plus the Dative case.

Q

Is it okay for C2 exams?

Yes, it shows you master advanced sentence structures.

Conjugation of 'bekommen'

Person Präsens Präteritum Perfekt
ich
bekomme
bekam
habe bekommen
du
bekommst
bekamst
hast bekommen
er/sie/es
bekommt
bekam
hat bekommen
wir
bekommen
bekamen
haben bekommen
ihr
bekommt
bekamt
habt bekommen
sie/Sie
bekommen
bekamen
haben bekommen

Meanings

The Rezipientenpassiv shifts the focus to the person receiving an action, effectively turning a dative object into the subject of the sentence.

1

Recipient focus

Highlighting who is on the receiving end of a benefit or action.

“Er bekommt das {das|n} Fahrrad repariert.”

“Sie erhält die {die|f} Nachricht geschickt.”

2

Colloquial benefit

Emphasizing the acquisition of an action's result.

“Ich kriege das {das|n} Auto gewaschen.”

“Wir kriegen die {die|f} Rechnung bezahlt.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Rezipientenpassiv (Dativ-Passiv) mit 'bekommen', 'erhalten' und 'kriegen'
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subj + aux + Obj + Part II
Ich bekomme das {das|n} Paket geliefert.
Negative
Subj + aux + nicht + Obj + Part II
Ich bekomme das {das|n} Paket nicht geliefert.
Question
Aux + Subj + Obj + Part II?
Bekommst du das {das|n} Paket geliefert?
Past
Subj + aux(Prät) + Obj + Part II
Ich bekam das {das|n} Paket geliefert.
Perfect
Subj + aux(Perf) + Obj + Part II + aux(Inf)
Ich habe das {das|n} Paket geliefert bekommen.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ich habe das {das|n} Dokument erhalten.

Ich habe das {das|n} Dokument erhalten. (Office)

Neutral
Ich habe das {das|n} Dokument bekommen.

Ich habe das {das|n} Dokument bekommen. (Office)

Informal
Ich hab das {das|n} Dokument gekriegt.

Ich hab das {das|n} Dokument gekriegt. (Office)

Slang
Ich hab das {das|n} Ding abgestaubt.

Ich hab das {das|n} Ding abgestaubt. (Office)

Rezipientenpassiv Flow

Rezipientenpassiv

Auxiliary

  • bekommen to get
  • erhalten to receive
  • kriegen to get (colloquial)

Requirement

  • Dativ-Objekt Dative object
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Examples by Level

1

Ich bekomme ein {das|n} Geschenk.

I get a gift.

2

Er bekommt einen {der|m} Brief.

He gets a letter.

1

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Auto repariert.

I get the car repaired.

2

Sie bekommt die {die|f} Haare geschnitten.

She gets her hair cut.

1

Wir bekommen die {die|f} Rechnung bezahlt.

We get the bill paid.

2

Du bekommst die {die|f} Nachricht geschickt.

You get the message sent.

1

Ich habe die {die|f} Unterlagen zugeschickt bekommen.

I have received the documents sent.

2

Er bekommt das {das|n} Problem erklärt.

He gets the problem explained.

1

Sie erhielt die {die|f} Erlaubnis erteilt.

She received the permission granted.

2

Wir kriegen das {das|n} Projekt genehmigt.

We get the project approved.

1

Der {der|m} Antrag wurde ihm bewilligt, er bekam ihn also bewilligt.

The application was granted to him, so he got it granted.

2

Man bekommt die {die|f} Lösung präsentiert.

One gets the solution presented.

Easily Confused

Rezipientenpassiv (Dativ-Passiv) mit 'bekommen', 'erhalten' und 'kriegen' vs Vorgangspassiv

Both use Partizip II.

Common Mistakes

✗

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Haus gebaut.

✓

Das {das|n} Haus wird gebaut.

Haus is not a dative object.
✗

Ich bekomme gesehen.

✓

Ich werde gesehen.

Sehen is not a dative verb.
✗

Ich kriege das {das|n} Auto.

✓

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Auto.

Kriegen is too informal for this context.
✗

Ich habe bekommen das {das|n} Buch.

✓

Ich habe das {das|n} Buch bekommen.

Word order error.
✗

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Buch gegeben.

✓

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Buch geschenkt.

Verb choice.
✗

Er kriegt das {das|n} Buch.

✓

Er bekommt das {das|n} Buch.

Register mismatch.
✗

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Paket geschickt von ihm.

✓

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Paket von ihm geschickt.

Placement of the agent.
✗

Ich werde das {das|n} Buch bekommen.

✓

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Buch.

Redundant passive.
✗

Er bekommt das {das|n} Problem gelöst.

✓

Er bekommt das {das|n} Problem gelöst.

Actually correct, but often misused with non-dative verbs.
✗

Das {das|n} Paket wird mir bekommen.

✓

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Paket.

Incorrect passive construction.
✗

Ich erhalte das {das|n} Paket geschickt.

✓

Ich erhalte das {das|n} Paket.

Erhalten doesn't always take Partizip II.
✗

Ich kriege das {das|n} Paket geliefert.

✓

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Paket geliefert.

Register choice.

Sentence Patterns

Ich bekomme ___ ___.

Real World Usage

Social Media common

Ich habe die {die|f} Nachricht bekommen.

Job Interview very common

Ich habe die {die|f} Aufgabe zugewiesen bekommen.

Texting constant

Hab die {die|f} Info gekriegt.

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💡

Check the Dative

Only use this with verbs that take a dative object. If the verb doesn't take dative, you can't use this passive.
⚠️

Avoid 'Kriegen' in Formal Writing

Always use 'erhalten' or 'bekommen' in professional emails or reports.
🎯

Focus on the Recipient

Use this when you want to emphasize that YOU are the one benefiting from the action.

Smart Tips

Use 'erhalten' instead of 'bekommen'.

Ich habe die {die|f} E-Mail bekommen. → Ich habe die {die|f} E-Mail erhalten.

Use 'kriegen'.

Ich habe das {das|n} Geschenk bekommen. → Ich hab das {das|n} Geschenk gekriegt.

Use the Rezipientenpassiv.

Der {der|m} Friseur hat meine {die|f} Haare geschnitten. → Ich habe die {die|f} Haare geschnitten bekommen.

Pronunciation

be-KOM-men

Stress

Stress the first syllable of 'bekommen'.

Falling

Ich bekomme das {das|n} Paket ↘.

Statement of fact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'getting' something done to you as a gift.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing with their hands open, receiving a package that is being delivered by an invisible hand.

Rhyme

Willst du den Fokus auf dich lenken, musst du 'bekommen' mit dem Partizip schenken.

Story

I am standing in the office. My boss hands me a report. I say: 'Ich bekomme den {der|m} Bericht gegeben.' It feels like I am the star of the action.

Word Web

bekommenerhaltenkriegenPartizip IIDativPassiv

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about things you received today using the Rezipientenpassiv.

Cultural Notes

Germans value precision. Using 'erhalten' in business is highly appreciated.

Austrians often use 'kriegen' more freely in semi-formal contexts.

Derived from the verb 'kommen' (to come) with the prefix 'be-'.

Conversation Starters

“

Was hast du heute geschickt bekommen?

“

Kriegst du oft Hilfe angeboten?

“

Haben Sie die {die|f} Nachricht erhalten?

Journal Prompts

Describe a service you received recently.
Write about a gift you received.
How do you handle tasks at work?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of bekommen.

Ich ___ das {das|n} Paket geliefert.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: bekomme
Correct auxiliary for Rezipientenpassiv.
Find the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich werde das {das|n} Buch geschenkt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich bekomme das {das|n} Buch geschenkt.
Use bekommen for recipient focus.
Choose the formal option. Multiple Choice

Ich ___ die {die|f} Nachricht.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: erhalte
Erhalten is the most formal.
Reorder the sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich bekomme das Paket geliefert.
Standard word order.

Score: /4

Practice Exercises

4 exercises
Fill in the correct form of bekommen.

Ich ___ das {das|n} Paket geliefert.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: bekomme
Correct auxiliary for Rezipientenpassiv.
Find the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich werde das {das|n} Buch geschenkt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich bekomme das {das|n} Buch geschenkt.
Use bekommen for recipient focus.
Choose the formal option. Multiple Choice

Ich ___ die {die|f} Nachricht.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: erhalte
Erhalten is the most formal.
Reorder the sentence. Sentence Reorder

bekomme / das / ich / geliefert / Paket

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich bekomme das Paket geliefert.
Standard word order.

Score: /4

FAQ (6)

No, only with verbs that take a dative object.

It is not wrong, but it is informal.

They are synonyms, but 'erhalten' is more formal.

To focus on the recipient.

Yes, use 'bekam' or 'habe bekommen'.

Yes, it is very common in daily life.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Recibir + participio

Spanish uses it less frequently than German.

French moderate

Recevoir + participe passé

French structure is less flexible.

Japanese partial

Ukeru / Morau

Japanese uses a different particle system.

Arabic low

Istalama

Arabic does not use a passive auxiliary for this.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Ersatzinfinitiv (Doppelter Infinitiv) in komplexen Nebensätzen
Next
Modale Passiversatzformen (sein + zu + Infinitiv)

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