Meaning
To offer help or assistance to someone or a cause.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Subsidiarität' means that the state only 'leistet Unterstützung' when smaller units (like families or local communities) cannot cope. This makes the phrase very common in political debates about the welfare state. In Austria, 'Amtshilfe' is a specific legal term where one authority 'leistet Unterstützung' to another. It is a cornerstone of the administrative culture. Swiss culture values 'Milizsystem' (militia system), where citizens 'leisten Unterstützung' to the state in their free time (e.g., in the fire department or local council). In modern German startups, the English word 'Support' is often used, but in established 'Mittelstand' companies, 'Unterstützung leisten' remains the gold standard for professional communication.
The 'Bei' Rule
Always use 'bei' + Dative to specify what you are helping with. It makes your German sound very natural.
Don't over-formalize
Don't use this with your partner or best friend unless you are being funny. It sounds like a contract!
Meaning
To offer help or assistance to someone or a cause.
The 'Bei' Rule
Always use 'bei' + Dative to specify what you are helping with. It makes your German sound very natural.
Don't over-formalize
Don't use this with your partner or best friend unless you are being funny. It sounds like a contract!
Volunteering
If you volunteer in Germany, use this phrase on your CV: 'Ich habe {die|f} Unterstützung bei [X] geleistet.'
Adjective Power
Add adjectives like 'finanzielle', 'moralische', or 'technische' to 'Unterstützung' to sound like a C1 speaker.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'leisten'.
Gestern _________ die {die|f} Organisation viel {die|f} Unterstützung für die {die|p} Flüchtlinge.
The sentence is in the past (Gestern), so we need the Präteritum form of 'leisten'.
Welcher Satz ist grammatikalisch richtig?
Wählen Sie den richtigen Satz:
The recipient must be in the Dative case (dir).
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
Chef: 'Können Sie dem neuen {der|m} Kollegen helfen?' Angestellter: 'Ja, ich werde ihm gerne ________________.'
'Unterstützung leisten' is the most professional and correct collocation here.
In welcher Situation ist 'Unterstützung leisten' am besten?
Wählen Sie die passende Situation:
This phrase is formal and suited for official reports.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Helfen vs. Unterstützung leisten
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGestern _________ die {die|f} Organisation viel {die|f} Unterstützung für die {die|p} Flüchtlinge.
The sentence is in the past (Gestern), so we need the Präteritum form of 'leisten'.
Wählen Sie den richtigen Satz:
The recipient must be in the Dative case (dir).
Chef: 'Können Sie dem neuen {der|m} Kollegen helfen?' Angestellter: 'Ja, ich werde ihm gerne ________________.'
'Unterstützung leisten' is the most professional and correct collocation here.
Wählen Sie die passende Situation:
This phrase is formal and suited for official reports.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsEssentially yes, but 'Unterstützung leisten' is much more formal and usually implies a more significant or professional effort.
It's better to use 'Unterstützung leisten'. 'Hilfe leisten' is usually reserved for emergencies or legal contexts.
The person you are helping is in the Dative case (e.g., 'ich leiste *dir*...').
No, 'machen' is incorrect here. Always use 'leisten'.
Only if the text is to a client or a boss. With friends, it's too formal.
It means 'moral support'—cheering someone up or being there for them emotionally.
No, 'leisten' can also mean 'to afford' (sich etwas leisten) or 'to achieve' (etwas leisten).
Finanzielle {die|f} Unterstützung leisten.
Yes, it is extremely common in political and economic news reports.
In very casual youth language or IT, yes, but 'Unterstützung leisten' is the proper German form.
You could say 'Unterstützung verweigern' (to refuse support).
Yes, it is standard German and used in all German-speaking countries.
Related Phrases
Hilfe leisten
similarTo provide help (mostly emergency/legal)
Beistand leisten
specialized formTo stand by someone (legal/moral)
Vorschub leisten
contrastTo further/abet (usually something bad)
Abhilfe leisten
similarTo remedy a situation
einen {der|m} Beitrag leisten
builds onTo make a contribution
