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B1 verb #7,000 most common 9 min read

begraben

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips begraben in 30 Seconds

Explanation begraben in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know the most basic meaning of 'begraben'. It means to put something in the ground, specifically a dead body or an animal. You might see it in very simple stories or news headlines. At this stage, don't worry too much about the complicated past tense 'begrub'. Just remember the present tense 'ich begrabe' and the fact that it is used for funerals. You can think of it as the German word for 'to bury'. If you have a pet that dies, you might say 'Ich begrabe meine Maus'. It is a useful word for basic life events, though you won't use it every day. Focus on the connection between 'Grab' (grave) and 'begraben' (to bury). This makes the word easier to remember. You should also know that it is an inseparable verb, so you don't move the 'be-' to the end of the sentence. Keep your sentences short and simple, like 'Er begräbt den Hund'.

At the A2 level, you should start to notice 'begraben' in more contexts, such as natural disasters. You might read a simple weather report saying 'Der Schnee begrub das Haus'. You are also expected to use the Perfekt tense correctly: 'Er hat den Vogel begraben'. Notice that there is no 'ge-' in 'begraben'. This is a key rule for A2 learners: verbs with the prefix 'be-' are inseparable and don't take 'ge-'. You might also learn the word 'Friedhof' (cemetery) at this level, and you can practice saying 'Er ist auf dem Friedhof begraben'. You are beginning to see the difference between 'begraben' and 'vergraben' (to hide something in the ground), although you might still mix them up occasionally. Try to remember that 'begraben' is more serious and often related to death or being covered by a large amount of something like snow or earth.

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable with both the literal and metaphorical uses of 'begraben'. You should know that it's not just for dead bodies, but also for burying hopes, plans, or old arguments ('das Kriegsbeil begraben'). You need to master the conjugation, including the vowel change in the present tense (du begräbst, er begräbt) and the simple past (begrub), which you will encounter in books and newspapers. You should also understand the passive voice usage, which is very common with this verb: 'Die Stadt wurde von Asche begraben'. At B1, you are expected to distinguish between 'begraben', 'beerdigen', and 'bestatten'. You know that 'beerdigen' is the standard word for a human funeral, while 'begraben' is more general. You can use the word to describe being overwhelmed, like 'Ich bin unter Arbeit begraben', which shows a more idiomatic command of the language.

At the B2 level, you should use 'begraben' with nuance and precision. You understand its role in descriptive and literary German. You can use it in complex sentence structures, such as 'Nachdem alle Hoffnung begraben worden war, suchten sie nach einer neuen Lösung'. You are familiar with more sophisticated idioms and can use the verb to describe archaeological contexts in detail. You might discuss the 'Begräbnis' (burial/funeral) as a noun and understand the cultural implications of burial laws in Germany. Your use of prepositions with 'begraben' should be accurate, distinguishing between the movement (in + Accusative) and the location (auf/unter + Dative). You also recognize the word in more abstract philosophical or political discussions, such as 'eine Ideologie begraben'. Your vocabulary is rich enough to choose 'begraben' over 'vergraben' instinctively based on the intended meaning of finality versus secrecy.

At the C1 level, 'begraben' is a word you use to add stylistic depth to your writing and speech. You are aware of its historical etymology and its connection to other Germanic languages. You can appreciate the use of 'begraben' in classical German literature, where it might be used to describe the burial of secrets, civilizations, or even the 'burial' of the sun behind the horizon for poetic effect. You understand subtle differences in register—for example, why an author might choose 'begrub' over 'beerdigte' to create a more somber or archaic tone. You can handle complex passive and participial constructions effortlessly, such as 'Die unter Lawinen begrabenen Dörfer waren von der Außenwelt abgeschnitten'. You also use the word in professional settings to describe the definitive termination of projects or partnerships with a sense of authority and clarity.

For a C2 speaker, 'begraben' is a versatile tool for high-level expression. You can use it to articulate complex metaphors about memory, history, and the human condition. You might explore the concept of 'Vergangenheitsbewältigung' (dealing with the past) and use 'begraben' to discuss how societies 'bury' or confront their history. You are fully comfortable with the most obscure idiomatic uses and can even play with the word in puns or creative writing. You understand the legal and technical nuances of 'Bestattungsrecht' (burial law) and can participate in academic or legal debates where 'begraben' might appear. Your command of the verb is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, allowing you to use it in everything from a moving eulogy to a sharp political critique. You recognize its use in compounds and related terms like 'Begräbnisstätte' or 'Totengräber' and use them with perfect accuracy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

begraben in 30 Seconds

Begraben is a B1-level German verb meaning 'to bury', used for funerals, natural disasters, and ending conflicts metaphorically.
It is an inseparable strong verb with a stem change in the present (begräbt) and past (begrub).
Commonly confused with 'vergraben' (to hide something), 'begraben' is more formal and carries a sense of finality.
Essential idioms include 'das Kriegsbeil begraben' (to bury the hatchet) and 'unter Arbeit begraben sein' (to be swamped).

The German verb begraben is a fundamental term that primarily refers to the act of putting a deceased person or animal into the ground, typically as part of a funeral ritual. However, its usage extends far beyond the cemetery. In a literal sense, it involves the physical movement of earth to cover something completely. You might hear it used in the context of archaeology, where ancient cities are described as being unter Schutt und Asche begraben (buried under rubble and ash). It is an inseparable prefix verb (be-), meaning the prefix stays attached to the root throughout all conjugations, which is a crucial grammatical point for learners to master at the B1 level. Unlike 'vergraben', which often implies hiding something or an animal burying a bone, begraben carries a weight of finality, ritual, or overwhelming scale.

Physical Burial: The act of placing a body in a grave. Example: 'Der Verstorbene wurde auf dem Kirchhof begraben.' (The deceased was buried in the churchyard.)
Metaphorical Ending: To give up on a hope, a plan, or a dream permanently. Example: 'Wir mussten unsere Pläne für den Urlaub begraben.' (We had to bury our plans for the vacation.)
Natural Disasters: When someone is trapped under snow, earth, or debris. Example: 'Die Lawine begrub das ganze Dorf.' (The avalanche buried the entire village.)

Metaphorically, begraben is used to describe the end of conflicts or emotions. The idiom das Kriegsbeil begraben (to bury the hatchet) is a direct equivalent to the English expression, signifying the cessation of hostilities. In professional contexts, if a project is cancelled and will never be revisited, one might say the project was begraben. This implies that the idea is not just paused, but 'dead'. It is also used when someone is overwhelmed by work or responsibilities, often phrased as unter Arbeit begraben sein. This vivid imagery helps English speakers relate to the German usage, as 'buried under work' is a common shared metaphor. Understanding the nuance between the physical 'interment' and the figurative 'termination' is key to using this word correctly in varied social and professional settings.

Nach dem heftigen Schneesturm war das kleine Auto völlig unter dem Schnee begraben.

Es ist Zeit, dass wir unsere alten Streitigkeiten endlich begraben.

Die Archäologen haben eine Stadt begraben unter dem Wüstensand gefunden.

Er hat seinen treuen Hund im Garten begraben.

Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt, aber irgendwann muss man sie begraben.

Using begraben correctly requires attention to its status as a strong, inseparable verb. In the present tense, it follows standard conjugation: ich begrabe, du begräbst, er/sie/es begräbt. Note the stem change (a to ä) in the second and third person singular. This is a common feature of many strong German verbs. In the Präteritum (simple past), the stem changes significantly to begrub. This form is mostly used in literature or formal reporting. For everyday conversation, you will likely use the Perfekt form: hat begraben. Because 'be-' is an inseparable prefix, you do not add another 'ge-' at the beginning of the past participle.

Transitive Usage: The verb takes a direct object in the accusative case. 'Sie begrub ihr Gesicht (Akk.) in den Händen.' (She buried her face in her hands.)
Passive Construction: Often used to describe victims of disasters. 'Drei Bergsteiger wurden von der Lawine begraben.' (Three climbers were buried by the avalanche.)
Reflexive Potential: While rare, one can 'sich begraben' metaphorically, meaning to isolate oneself. 'Er begrub sich in seiner Arbeit.' (He buried himself in his work.)

When talking about the deceased, the preposition auf (on) is used with the dative case to indicate the location: auf dem Friedhof begraben. If you are describing the metaphorical act of 'burying' a feeling or a secret, you might use the preposition in. For example, ein Geheimnis in sich begraben (to bury a secret within oneself). This implies a deep, internal suppression. In the context of natural disasters, the preposition unter (under) is standard. For instance, unter den Trümmern begraben (buried under the ruins). This versatility makes begraben a powerful tool for descriptive German, allowing for both precise physical descriptions and evocative emotional imagery. Pay close attention to the vowel changes in the different tenses, as 'begraben' (present/participle) and 'begrub' (past) are distinct and essential for B1 fluency.

Du begräbst dein Talent, wenn du nicht weiter übst.

Die Soldaten begruben ihre gefallenen Kameraden mit militärischen Ehren.

Nachdem das Projekt scheiterte, haben wir alle Unterlagen tief im Archiv begraben.

Warum begrabt ihr euren Streit nicht einfach?

Das alte Haus wurde von den Schlammmassen völlig begraben.

In Germany, the word begraben is ubiquitous in news reports, history lessons, and literature. When a natural disaster strikes, such as a landslide (Erdrutsch) or an avalanche (Lawine), news anchors will invariably use the word to describe victims or property covered by debris. For example, 'Mehrere Autos wurden unter den Schneemassen begraben.' (Several cars were buried under the snow masses.) This usage is factual and descriptive. In a more somber context, you will hear it during discussions about history, particularly regarding war memorials or archaeological findings like the Roman ruins in Cologne or Xanten. It conveys a sense of time passing and the physical layering of history.

News & Media: Reporting on disasters or historical discoveries. 'Das Dorf wurde von Lava begraben.'
Literature & Film: Used for dramatic effect regarding secrets or lost loves. 'Er begrub seine Sehnsucht tief in seinem Herzen.'
Daily Idioms: Commonly used to suggest ending a fight. 'Lass uns das Kriegsbeil begraben.'

In casual conversation, Germans might use begraben to express being overwhelmed. A student might say, 'Ich bin unter Hausaufgaben begraben!' (I am buried under homework!), which is an expressive way to complain about workload. In business, if a strategy fails, a manager might say, 'Wir müssen diese Idee begraben,' indicating the definitive end of that path. It's important to note the cultural etiquette: while 'begraben' is a neutral term for burial, 'beerdigen' is the more common and polite term for the actual funeral service of a person. Using 'begraben' for a person can sometimes sound a bit more functional or biological, whereas 'beerdigen' (literally 'to earth') or 'bestatten' (to inter) sounds more respectful in a social setting. However, in historical or archaeological contexts, 'begraben' remains the standard choice.

Die antike Stadt wurde vor zweitausend Jahren durch einen Vulkanausbruch begraben.

Ich fühle mich heute völlig unter Arbeit begraben.

Sie haben das Kriegsbeil begraben und sind jetzt wieder Freunde.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing begraben with vergraben. While both mean 'to bury', vergraben often implies hiding something (like a treasure or a bone) or an animal's action. If you say 'Ich habe den Toten vergraben', it might sound like you are hiding a body after a crime! For a proper burial, use begraben or beerdigen. Another common error is in conjugation. Because it is an inseparable verb, many students try to say 'gebegraben' or 'begeraben'. Remember: verbs starting with be-, ent-, emp-, er-, ge-, miss-, ver-, zer- never take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle.

Confusing with 'vergraben': Vergraben = hiding/animals. Begraben = funerals/disasters/metaphors.
Incorrect Past Participle: Wrong: 'Ich habe ihn gebegraben.' Correct: 'Ich habe ihn begraben.'
Missing Vowel Change: Wrong: 'Er begrabt seine Katze.' Correct: 'Er begräbt seine Katze.'

Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the prepositional usage. When talking about burying something *in* something, use the accusative for movement ('Ich begrabe es in die Erde') and dative for location ('Es liegt begraben in der Erde'). However, for funerals, the fixed expression is almost always auf dem Friedhof begraben. Using 'in dem Friedhof' is a common 'Anglicism' that sounds slightly off to native ears. Finally, avoid using begraben for burying small objects like seeds in a garden; for that, the verb einpflanzen or säen is much more appropriate. Begraben implies a certain scale or finality that doesn't fit the hopeful act of gardening.

Falsch: Der Hund hat seinen Knochen begraben. (Richtig: vergraben)

Falsch: Wir haben die Hoffnung gebegraben. (Richtig: begraben)

The German language offers several synonyms for begraben, each with its own specific register and context. Choosing the right one can elevate your German from functional to nuanced. The most common alternative for human burial is beerdigen. This word literally contains 'Erde' (earth) and is the standard term for a funeral. It feels more personal and ritualistic than the somewhat more clinical or descriptive begraben. For a very formal or official context, such as a state funeral or a religious ceremony, bestatten is used. This is the term you will see on the signs of funeral homes (Bestattungsinstitut).

beerdigen: Standard for funerals. Focuses on the act of returning to the earth. 'Meine Oma wurde gestern beerdigt.'
bestatten: Formal/Official. Used by professionals and in legal texts. 'Die Bestattung findet im engsten Familienkreis statt.'
vergraben: To hide in the ground. Used for treasure, waste, or animals. 'Der Pirat vergrub den Schatz auf der Insel.'
einbuddeln: Colloquial/Informal. Often used by children or when talking about digging in the sand. 'Die Kinder buddelten sich gegenseitig am Strand ein.'

When using the word metaphorically to mean 'ending' something, you might consider aufgeben (to give up) or beenden (to end). However, begraben adds a layer of 'putting it to rest forever'. If you want to say you are overwhelmed, instead of unter Arbeit begraben, you could say in Arbeit ersticken (to choke in work) for a more dramatic effect. Understanding these distinctions helps you avoid the 'one-word-fits-all' trap and allows you to match your vocabulary to the emotional and social environment of the conversation. Whether you are discussing Pompeii, a family pet, or a canceled business deal, choosing between 'begraben', 'beerdigen', or 'vergraben' is a mark of a sophisticated B1 learner.

Wir sollten die Vergangenheit ruhen lassen und unsere Konflikte begraben.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Der Staatsmann wurde mit allen militärischen Ehren begraben."

Neutral

"Sie haben den Hund im Garten begraben."

Informal

"Ich bin unter meinen Hausaufgaben begraben!"

Child friendly

"Wir begraben den kleinen Vogel unter dem großen Baum."

Slang

"Begrab die Sache einfach, okay?"

Fun Fact

The word 'Grab' and 'begraben' are related to the English word 'grave', but also share a distant root with 'graphic' (via the idea of scratching or carving into a surface).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bəˈɡʁaːbn̩/

US /bəˈɡʁɑːbən/

The stress is on the second syllable: be-GRA-ben.

Rhymes With

haben gaben laben naben raben schaben erhaben vorhaben

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (BE-graben)
Pronouncing the 'be-' like 'bee'
Shortening the long 'a' sound
Adding a 'ge-' in the past participle
Pronouncing the 'g' like an English 'j'

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize, but Präteritum 'begrub' can be tricky in literature.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering no 'ge-' prefix and the stem change.

Speaking 3/5

Common idioms are very useful for sounding natural.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to distinguish.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

graben das Grab die Erde tot der Friedhof

Learn Next

beerdigen bestatten die Bestattung ausgraben vergraben

Advanced

die Einäscherung die Urnenbeisetzung exhumieren untergraben

Grammar to Know

Inseparable Prefixes

Verbs starting with 'be-' like 'begraben' never separate and don't take 'ge-' in the past participle.

Strong Verbs (Class 6)

Begraben follows the pattern a - u - a (begraben - begrub - begraben).

Stem Vowel Change

In the present tense singular, 'a' changes to 'ä' (du begräbst, er begräbt).

Passive Voice with 'werden'

Victims of disasters are often the subject: 'Sie wurden begraben'.

Prepositions of Place (Two-Way)

Use dative for location: 'Er liegt unter dem Schnee begraben'.

Examples by Level

Ich begrabe den toten Fisch.

I bury the dead fish.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

Er begräbt seine Katze im Garten.

He buries his cat in the garden.

Note the stem change from 'a' to 'ä'.

Wir begraben das Haustier.

We bury the pet.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Wo begräbst du den Vogel?

Where are you burying the bird?

Question form, 2nd person singular.

Sie begraben den alten Hund.

They bury the old dog.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

Begräbt er das Kaninchen?

Is he burying the rabbit?

Inversion for question.

Ich will meinen Hamster begraben.

I want to bury my hamster.

Modal verb 'wollen' + infinitive.

Hier begraben wir die Maus.

Here we bury the mouse.

Sentence starting with an adverb.

Er hat seinen Hund gestern begraben.

He buried his dog yesterday.

Perfekt tense. No 'ge-' prefix.

Die Lawine begrub das Auto.

The avalanche buried the car.

Präteritum (simple past) of begraben.

Wurde der Mann auf dem Friedhof begraben?

Was the man buried in the cemetery?

Passive voice in the past.

Wir haben den Vogel unter dem Baum begraben.

We buried the bird under the tree.

Perfekt tense with preposition 'unter'.

Sie begruben den Schatz (Metapher) ihrer Kindheit.

They buried the treasure of their childhood.

Präteritum, 3rd person plural.

Das Haus ist unter dem Sand begraben.

The house is buried under the sand.

Zustandspassiv (statal passive).

Hast du deine Träume begraben?

Have you buried your dreams?

Metaphorical use in the Perfekt.

Die Stadt wurde von Asche begraben.

The city was buried by ash.

Passive voice with 'von'.

Es ist Zeit, das Kriegsbeil zu begraben.

It is time to bury the hatchet.

Idiomatic expression with 'zu' + infinitive.

Sie begrub ihr Gesicht in den Händen und weinte.

She buried her face in her hands and cried.

Reflexive-like transitive use in the past.

Wir mussten unsere Pläne für den Neubau begraben.

We had to bury our plans for the new building.

Metaphorical use meaning 'to cancel'.

Er fühlt sich unter der ganzen Arbeit begraben.

He feels buried under all the work.

Common idiomatic usage for being overwhelmed.

Die Ruinen lagen jahrhundertelang tief begraben.

The ruins lay buried deep for centuries.

Adjective-like use of the past participle.

Warum begräbst du dein Talent in diesem kleinen Dorf?

Why are you burying your talent in this small village?

Metaphorical use for wasting potential.

Der Verstorbene wurde im engsten Familienkreis begraben.

The deceased was buried in the closest family circle.

Formal passive construction.

Sie haben das Geheimnis für immer begraben.

They buried the secret forever.

Metaphorical use for keeping a secret.

Das Projekt wurde schließlich wegen Geldmangel begraben.

The project was finally buried due to lack of money.

Passive voice in the past.

Er begrub seine Enttäuschung hinter einem Lächeln.

He buried his disappointment behind a smile.

Metaphorical use with preposition 'hinter'.

Die Lawine drohte, die gesamte Expedition zu begraben.

The avalanche threatened to bury the entire expedition.

Infinitive construction with 'drohen'.

Viele Opfer wurden unter den Trümmern des Erdbebens begraben.

Many victims were buried under the rubble of the earthquake.

Passive voice with complex noun phrase.

Wir sollten den Streit endlich begraben und nach vorne schauen.

We should finally bury the argument and look forward.

Modal verb 'sollten' with metaphorical meaning.

Die antiken Statuen wurden im Schlamm des Flusses begraben.

The ancient statues were buried in the mud of the river.

Passive voice with local prepositional phrase.

Er hat die Hoffnung nie begraben, seine Tochter wiederzusehen.

He never buried the hope of seeing his daughter again.

Perfect tense with extended infinitive clause.

Diese Tradition scheint allmählich begraben zu werden.

This tradition seems to be gradually getting buried.

Passive infinitive with 'scheinen'.

Die Wahrheit blieb jahrzehntelang unter Lügen begraben.

The truth remained buried under lies for decades.

Metaphorical use with 'bleiben' + participle.

Mit diesem Gesetz wurde die letzte Hoffnung auf Reformen begraben.

With this law, the last hope for reforms was buried.

Passive voice used for political commentary.

Er begrub seine wahren Gefühle tief in seinem Inneren.

He buried his true feelings deep inside him.

Psychological metaphorical use.

Die Pompejaner wurden von der glühenden Asche lebendig begraben.

The Pompeians were buried alive by the glowing ash.

Historical use with 'lebendig' (alive).

Es ist eine Schande, wie dieses Talent unter Bürokratie begraben wird.

It is a shame how this talent is being buried under bureaucracy.

Metaphorical use in a subordinate clause.

Die Erinnerung an jene Nacht war längst begraben.

The memory of that night had long been buried.

Plusquamperfekt (past perfect) passive nuance.

Man darf die Fakten nicht unter einer Flut von Informationen begraben.

One must not bury the facts under a flood of information.

Metaphorical use with 'Flut von'.

Er begrub sich in seinen Studien, um den Schmerz zu vergessen.

He buried himself in his studies to forget the pain.

Reflexive metaphorical use.

Das Epos begrub die Konventionen seiner Zeit unter seiner Monumentalität.

The epic buried the conventions of its time under its monumentality.

Highly abstract literary usage.

In den Archiven liegen Dokumente begraben, die die Geschichte verändern könnten.

In the archives lie documents buried that could change history.

Inverted sentence structure for emphasis.

Er begrub den Gedanken so schnell, wie er gekommen war.

He buried the thought as quickly as it had come.

Nuanced psychological description.

Die Zivilisation wurde von den Sanden der Zeit begraben.

The civilization was buried by the sands of time.

Poetic metaphorical usage.

Man sollte die Axt nicht nur begraben, sondern auch vergessen, wo man sie vergraben hat.

One should not only bury the axe, but also forget where one buried it.

Wordplay between 'begraben' and 'vergraben'.

Die feinen Nuancen seiner Rede wurden unter dem Gebrüll der Menge begraben.

The fine nuances of his speech were buried under the roar of the crowd.

Acoustic metaphorical usage.

Seine Ambitionen wurden unter der Last der Verantwortung begraben.

His ambitions were buried under the weight of responsibility.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Die Wahrheit wird oft tief begraben, um den Status quo zu schützen.

The truth is often buried deep to protect the status quo.

Social/Political commentary.

Common Collocations

jemanden auf dem Friedhof begraben

unter einer Lawine begraben

die Hoffnung begraben

das Kriegsbeil begraben

unter Arbeit begraben sein

ein Geheimnis begraben

lebendig begraben

unter Trümmern begraben

seine Vergangenheit begraben

Pläne begraben

Common Phrases

tief begraben

— Buried deep, often used for secrets or historical items.

Die Wahrheit liegt tief begraben.

völlig begraben

— Completely covered or finished.

Das Auto war völlig unter dem Schnee begraben.

metaphorisch begraben

— To give up on something figuratively.

Er hat seine Träume metaphorisch begraben.

offiziell begraben

— To officially end a project or plan.

Das Bauprojekt wurde gestern offiziell begraben.

gemeinsam begraben

— To bury something (like a conflict) together.

Wir sollten unseren Streit gemeinsam begraben.

unter Schlamm begraben

— Covered by mud, usually in floods.

Die Felder wurden unter Schlamm begraben.

in der Erde begraben

— The literal act of burying in the soil.

Der Schatz liegt irgendwo in der Erde begraben.

still begraben

— To bury something quietly or without ceremony.

Das Thema wurde still begraben.

für immer begraben

— Buried forever, indicating total finality.

Diese Liebe ist für immer begraben.

unter den Massen begraben

— Buried under the masses (of people or things).

Er fühlte sich unter den Menschenmassen begraben.

Often Confused With

begraben vs vergraben

Use 'vergraben' for hiding things or animals digging. Use 'begraben' for funerals and disasters.

begraben vs beerdigen

'Beerdigen' is specifically for human funerals and is more respectful.

begraben vs beklagen

Sounds similar but means 'to complain' or 'to mourn'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Das Kriegsbeil begraben"

— To stop fighting and make peace after a long conflict.

Nach Jahren des Streits haben die Nachbarn das Kriegsbeil begraben.

Common

"Unter Arbeit begraben sein"

— To have so much work that one feels overwhelmed.

Ich kann heute nicht kommen, ich bin unter Arbeit begraben.

Informal

"Alle Hoffnung begraben"

— To completely give up any expectation of a positive outcome.

Nach der Niederlage mussten sie alle Hoffnung auf den Titel begraben.

Neutral

"Sein Talent begraben"

— To not use or develop one's natural abilities.

Es ist schade, dass er sein Talent als Maler begraben hat.

Neutral

"Etwas in sich begraben"

— To keep a feeling or secret hidden deep inside and never speak of it.

Sie begrub ihren Schmerz tief in sich.

Literary

"Unter Trümmern begraben"

— Literally trapped under ruins, but also metaphorically ruined.

Seine Karriere wurde unter dem Skandal begraben.

Neutral

"Einen Gedanken begraben"

— To decide not to think about or pursue a specific idea anymore.

Ich habe den Gedanken an eine Weltreise vorerst begraben.

Neutral

"Die Axt begraben"

— A variation of 'bury the hatchet'.

Es wird Zeit, die Axt zu begraben.

Common

"Sich in Arbeit begraben"

— To use work as a way to hide from other problems or to focus intensely.

Nach der Trennung begrub er sich in seiner Arbeit.

Neutral

"Unter dem Schnee begraben"

— Literally covered in snow, but used to describe total stillness.

Die Landschaft lag friedlich unter dem Schnee begraben.

Literary

Easily Confused

begraben vs graben

Root verb.

'Graben' is just the act of digging; 'begraben' is the act of putting something in and covering it.

Ich grabe ein Loch. Ich begrabe den Schatz.

begraben vs vergraben

Similar meaning.

'Vergraben' implies secrecy or an animal's instinct. 'Begraben' implies ritual, disaster, or metaphorical finality.

Der Hund vergräbt das Fleisch. Wir begraben den Toten.

begraben vs bestatten

Synonym.

'Bestatten' is the professional/official term used by funeral homes.

Das Bestattungsinstitut bestattet den Verstorbenen.

begraben vs beisetzen

Synonym.

Specifically used for placing an urn or coffin into its final resting place.

Die Urne wurde im Beisein der Familie beigesetzt.

begraben vs untergraben

Similar prefix structure.

'Untergraben' is almost always metaphorical, meaning to undermine authority or trust.

Er untergräbt mein Vertrauen.

Sentence Patterns

S + V + O

Ich begrabe den Vogel.

S + hat + O + begraben

Er hat den Hund begraben.

S + wurde + unter + Dat + begraben

Das Haus wurde unter dem Schnee begraben.

Es ist Zeit, + O + zu begraben

Es ist Zeit, den Streit zu begraben.

S + fühlt sich + unter + Dat + begraben

Sie fühlt sich unter der Arbeit begraben.

Nachdem + S + O + begraben hatte, ...

Nachdem er die Hoffnung begraben hatte, ging er weg.

Participle used as Adjective

Die begrabenen Träume der Jugend...

Metaphorical Passive

Die Wahrheit blieb unter Lügen begraben.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High (especially in news and metaphors).

Common Mistakes

Ich habe den Hund gebegraben. → Ich habe den Hund begraben.
Inseparable 'be-' verbs do not take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle.
Er begrabt seinen Traum. → Er begräbt seinen Traum.
Strong verbs with 'a' in the stem often change to 'ä' in the singular present tense.
Der Hund hat den Knochen begraben. → Der Hund hat den Knochen vergraben.
For animals hiding things, 'vergraben' is the correct choice.
Er wurde in dem Friedhof begraben. → Er wurde auf dem Friedhof begraben.
The correct preposition for being buried in a cemetery is 'auf'.
Ich begrube den Vogel. → Ich begrub den Vogel.
The Präteritum of 'begraben' is 'begrub' (no 'e' at the end for 1st/3rd person singular).

Tips

No 'ge-' in Participle

Because 'be-' is an inseparable prefix, the past participle is just 'begraben', not 'gebegraben'.

Metaphorical Use

Use 'begraben' to talk about giving up on dreams or ending fights to sound more advanced.

Funeral Etiquette

Use 'beerdigen' when talking to grieving families; it's more polite.

Stem Change

Remember the umlaut: er begräbt.

Stress the Root

Always stress the 'gra' part: be-GRA-ben.

Work Stress

Say 'Ich bin unter Arbeit begraben' when you are very busy.

Begraben vs. Vergraben

Begraben = Final/Serious. Vergraben = Hidden/Animalistic.

Präteritum

Look out for 'begrub' in books; it's the same verb!

Business German

Use 'ein Projekt begraben' when a project is officially canceled.

Word Family

Link 'begraben' to 'Grab' (grave) to remember it easily.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Grave' (Grab). To 'be-grave' someone is to 'begraben' them. The 'be-' makes it the action of putting them there.

Visual Association

Imagine a large pile of snow covering a house completely. The house is 'begraben'. Now imagine a tiny hatchet being put into a hole in the ground. You are 'begraben' the hatchet.

Word Web

Grab Friedhof Tod Lawine Hoffnung Geheimnis Schaufel Erde

Challenge

Try to use 'begraben' in three different ways today: once for a physical object, once for a disaster context, and once metaphorically for a finished task.

Word Origin

From Middle High German 'begraben', and Old High German 'bigraban'. It is formed from the prefix 'be-' and the verb 'graben' (to dig).

Original meaning: To dig around, to inter, or to entomb.

Germanic (related to English 'grave' and 'grub').

Cultural Context

When talking to someone who recently lost a loved one, 'beerdigen' or 'bestatten' is generally more empathetic than 'begraben'.

English speakers often say 'bury the hatchet'. Germans say exactly the same: 'das Kriegsbeil begraben'.

Goethe's poems often mention things 'begraben' in the earth. The city of Pompeii is the most famous example of being 'begraben'. The Brothers Grimm stories often feature treasures 'begraben' under trees.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Funerals

auf dem Friedhof begraben
eine würdevolle Bestattung
im Familiengrab begraben
die Beisetzung

Natural Disasters

unter einer Lawine begraben
vom Schlamm begraben
unter Trümmern begraben
lebendig begraben

Conflict Resolution

das Kriegsbeil begraben
den Streit begraben
die Vergangenheit begraben
alte Wunden begraben

Archaeology

tief in der Erde begraben
eine begrabene Stadt
unter Schichten von Sand
Artefakte begraben

Work/Stress

unter Arbeit begraben
in Akten begraben
sich in Studien begraben
unter Aufgaben begraben

Conversation Starters

"Hast du schon einmal von der begrabenen Stadt Pompeji gehört?"

"Glaubst du, es ist besser, das Kriegsbeil zu begraben, auch wenn man im Recht ist?"

"Warst du schon einmal unter so viel Arbeit begraben, dass du nicht mehr schlafen konntest?"

"Wo möchtest du eines Tages begraben werden, wenn du die Wahl hättest?"

"Welche alten Traditionen sollten deiner Meinung nach endlich begraben werden?"

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über eine Zeit, in der du dich unter Verantwortung begraben gefühlt hast. Wie bist du damit umgegangen?

Gibt es einen Plan oder einen Traum, den du begraben musstest? Warum war das notwendig?

Stell dir vor, Archäologen finden in 1000 Jahren dein Haus begraben unter der Erde. Was würden sie über dich lernen?

Warum ist es so schwer, das Kriegsbeil nach einem langen Streit zu begraben?

Beschreibe eine Szene in der Natur, die völlig unter dem Schnee begraben liegt. Welche Stimmung herrscht dort?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'begraben' is an inseparable prefix verb. The 'be-' stays attached in all forms (e.g., ich begrabe, ich begrub, ich habe begraben).

Yes, but 'beerdigen' is more common and respectful for a funeral. 'Begraben' is more descriptive or used in historical contexts.

The Präteritum is 'begrub' and the Perfekt is 'hat begraben'.

Yes, in the present tense: du begräbst, er/sie/es begräbt.

'Vergraben' is for hiding things (like treasure) or animals. 'Begraben' is for funerals, disasters, or giving up hopes.

You say 'das Kriegsbeil begraben'.

No, use 'einplanzen' (to plant) or 'säen' (to sow). 'Begraben' sounds too final and negative for gardening.

Very often! Especially for natural disasters: 'Er wurde von einer Lawine begraben'.

Usually 'auf': 'Er ist auf dem Friedhof begraben'.

Yes, 'das Begräbnis' (the funeral/burial).