In 15 Seconds
- To officially grant or provide help or resources.
- Used in professional, legal, or high-level social contexts.
- Implies a formal commitment rather than a casual favor.
Meaning
Unterstützung gewähren means to officially provide help, resources, or backing to someone. It is like saying 'to grant assistance' in a professional or serious context.
Key Examples
3 of 6A government announcement about aid
Die Regierung wird den Flutopfern sofortige Unterstützung gewähren.
The government will grant immediate support to the flood victims.
A boss talking to an employee about a project
Ich werde Ihnen bei diesem Projekt jede nötige Unterstützung gewähren.
I will grant you every necessary support for this project.
A bank confirming a loan or credit line
Die Bank hat entschieden, dem Startup finanzielle Unterstützung zu gewähren.
The bank has decided to grant financial support to the startup.
Cultural Background
In Germany, 'Unterstützung' is often linked to the 'Antragskultur' (application culture). To get support, you usually have to fill out a form (einen Antrag stellen). Austrian administrative German is very similar, but sometimes uses even more formal titles when granting support. In Swiss German business contexts, 'Unterstützung gewähren' is used, but there is also a strong emphasis on 'Subsidiarität' (subsidiarity) — support is only granted if the smaller unit cannot help itself. In international German-speaking business, this phrase is a 'safe' choice to avoid sounding too aggressive or too casual during negotiations.
The Dative Secret
Always check who is receiving the support. If it's 'the team', it's 'dem Team'. If it's 'the woman', it's 'der Frau'.
Don't be too stiff
If you are talking to your roommate about cleaning the kitchen, don't use this phrase unless you are being sarcastic.
In 15 Seconds
- To officially grant or provide help or resources.
- Used in professional, legal, or high-level social contexts.
- Implies a formal commitment rather than a casual favor.
What It Means
Unterstützung gewähren is a sophisticated way to say you are helping. It implies a formal decision to provide aid. It is not just a casual favor. It sounds like an official commitment. You are 'granting' help like a formal privilege. It often involves resources, money, or professional backing.
How To Use It
You use this phrase with the dative case. You grant support *to someone*. For example: Der Staat gewährt den Bürgern Unterstützung. It often appears in written German. You will see it in contracts and news reports. Use it when the help is significant. It works well with adjectives like finanzielle or tatkräftige.
When To Use It
Use it in a business meeting. Use it when discussing government policies. It is perfect for formal emails to clients. You can use it when a bank gives a loan. It fits well in serious academic writing. Use it when you want to sound reliable and professional. It shows that the help is guaranteed.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for tiny favors. Do not say it when holding a door open. Your friends might think you are a robot. Avoid it during a casual party. It is too stiff for 'Hey, can you help me move?'. If you use it there, it sounds like a joke. Use helfen for everyday, small tasks instead.
Cultural Background
Germany is known for its organized social system. This phrase reflects that structured approach to help. In Germany, help is often a formal right. The word gewähren comes from old legal traditions. It implies that an authority is giving permission. It feels very 'Amtssprache' (officialese). It shows the German preference for clear, formal agreements.
Common Variations
You might hear Beistand leisten for emotional or legal help. Hilfe gewähren is a very close synonym. Finanzielle Unterstützung is the most common specific version. You can also say Rückendeckung geben for informal 'backing'. Förderung gewähren is used specifically for grants or subsidies.
Usage Notes
This phrase belongs to the formal register. It is common in written correspondence, official documents, and professional settings. Avoid using it in casual, everyday speech unless you intend to sound ironic or humorous.
The Dative Secret
Always check who is receiving the support. If it's 'the team', it's 'dem Team'. If it's 'the woman', it's 'der Frau'.
Don't be too stiff
If you are talking to your roommate about cleaning the kitchen, don't use this phrase unless you are being sarcastic.
Business Etiquette
Using this phrase in a German business email shows you understand the 'Formalitätsgrad' (degree of formality) expected in DACH countries.
Examples
6Die Regierung wird den Flutopfern sofortige Unterstützung gewähren.
The government will grant immediate support to the flood victims.
This is a classic use in news and politics.
Ich werde Ihnen bei diesem Projekt jede nötige Unterstützung gewähren.
I will grant you every necessary support for this project.
Shows a formal commitment from a superior.
Die Bank hat entschieden, dem Startup finanzielle Unterstützung zu gewähren.
The bank has decided to grant financial support to the startup.
Used here for financial backing.
Ich gewähre dir hiermit Unterstützung beim Bierholen.
I hereby grant you support in getting the beer.
The formality makes this humorous among friends.
Wir werden dir in dieser schweren Zeit volle Unterstützung gewähren.
We will grant you full support during this difficult time.
Adds a layer of solemnity and reliability to the promise.
Die Universität kann Ihnen bei der Recherche Unterstützung gewähren.
The university can grant you support with your research.
Standard academic/institutional usage.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'gewähren' und dem richtigen Artikel/Pronomen.
Der Staat _______ _______ Firmen finanzielle Unterstützung.
The subject 'Der Staat' is singular (gewährt) and the recipient 'Firmen' is plural dative (den).
In welcher Situation ist 'Unterstützung gewähren' am passendsten?
Wählen Sie die beste Situation:
'Unterstützung gewähren' is a formal, official act, fitting for a ministry.
Vervollständigen Sie den Satz im Vorstellungsgespräch.
Bewerber: 'Könnten Sie mir bei meiner Fortbildung...'
This is the most professional way to ask for support in a job interview.
Ordnen Sie das Adjektiv der passenden Art von Unterstützung zu.
Kombinieren Sie:
These are common collocations with 'Unterstützung gewähren'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDer Staat _______ _______ Firmen finanzielle Unterstützung.
The subject 'Der Staat' is singular (gewährt) and the recipient 'Firmen' is plural dative (den).
Wählen Sie die beste Situation:
'Unterstützung gewähren' is a formal, official act, fitting for a ministry.
Bewerber: 'Könnten Sie mir bei meiner Fortbildung...'
This is the most professional way to ask for support in a job interview.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common collocations with 'Unterstützung gewähren'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds very detached. 'Moralische Unterstützung gewähren' is used in professional contexts, but for friends, use 'beistehen'.
'Gewähren' means to grant. 'Gewährleisten' means to guarantee or ensure. They are different!
'Unterstützung verweigern' (to refuse support) or 'Unterstützung entziehen' (to withdraw support).
Often no. 'Wir gewähren Unterstützung' is common. If you add an adjective, you often use an article: 'Wir gewähren eine finanzielle Unterstützung'.
Related Phrases
Hilfe leisten
similarTo provide help (often physical or immediate).
Beistand leisten
specialized formTo provide legal or moral standing-by.
Förderung bewilligen
specialized formTo approve funding.
Jemanden unterstützen
builds onTo support someone (verb form).
