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sich verbreiten

B1 verb #3,000 mais comum 10 min de leitura

sich verbreiten

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas sich verbreiten em 30 segundos

Explicação sich verbreiten in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'sich verbreiten' as a way to describe things moving or becoming known in a very simple way. Imagine a light coming into a dark room or a nice smell coming from the kitchen. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that the word 'sich' always goes with 'verbreiten' when you are talking about the news or a smell moving on its own. For example, 'Die Nachricht ist neu, sie verbreitet sich.' (The news is new, it is spreading). You might hear it in very simple stories or news for children. Focus on the idea of something going from one place to many places. It is like when you tell one friend a secret, and then everyone knows it—that is 'sich verbreiten'.

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At the A2 level, you should start using 'sich verbreiten' to talk about daily topics like the weather, simple news, or health. You can say 'Die Grippe verbreitet sich' (The flu is spreading) during the winter. You are now learning more about reflexive verbs, so pay attention to the fact that 'sich' stays 'sich' for things like 'the news' (die Nachricht) or 'the virus' (das Virus). You can also use it to describe how information travels on the internet. 'Ein Video verbreitet sich schnell auf Facebook.' This level is about connecting the verb to common nouns and using simple adverbs like 'schnell' (fast) or 'langsam' (slowly) to describe how the spreading is happening.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'sich verbreiten' more accurately in different tenses. You should be comfortable using it in the Perfekt tense ('hat sich verbreitet') and the Präteritum ('verbreitete sich'). You can now use it to discuss social issues, such as how fake news spreads or how certain fashion trends become popular. You should also understand the difference between 'verbreiten' (to spread something actively) and 'sich verbreiten' (to spread on its own). For example, 'Die Zeitung verbreitet Informationen' (The newspaper spreads information) vs. 'Die Nachricht verbreitet sich' (The news spreads). This level also introduces prepositions like 'über' (over/across) and 'unter' (among) to provide more detail in your sentences.

At the B2 level, you should use 'sich verbreiten' in more abstract and professional contexts. You can discuss the spread of ideologies, economic theories, or scientific phenomena. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and passive-like constructions. You will also start to distinguish 'sich verbreiten' from more specific synonyms like 'sich ausbreiten' (physical expansion) or 'kursieren' (rumors circulating). For instance, in a discussion about globalization, you might say, 'Westliche Konsummuster verbreiten sich weltweit.' You should also be familiar with common idioms like 'sich wie ein Lauffeuer verbreiten' and use them correctly in your writing and speaking to sound more natural.

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At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'sich verbreiten' and its synonyms. You can use it to describe subtle shifts in public opinion or the diffusion of complex philosophical ideas. You are expected to use academic registers where 'sich verbreiten' might be replaced by 'diffundieren' or 'grassieren' depending on the precise meaning. Your usage should be flawless in terms of reflexive pronoun placement and auxiliary verb choice in all tenses, including the Konjunktiv II. You can analyze texts that use the verb metaphorically, such as 'Ein Gefühl der Unruhe verbreitete sich in der Bevölkerung.' You understand the stylistic difference between 'sich verbreiten' and its more formal counterparts.

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At the C2 level, you use 'sich verbreiten' with the precision of a native speaker. You can employ it in high-level literary analysis, scientific writing, or political discourse. You are aware of the historical development of the word and can use it in highly idiomatic or archaic ways if the context demands. You can distinguish between the most subtle shades of meaning—for instance, why a writer chose 'sich verbreiten' instead of 'sich manifestieren' or 'umsichgreifen'. Your mastery allows you to use the verb to create specific atmospheres in creative writing or to provide exacting descriptions in technical reports. You are also fully aware of how the verb functions in the passive voice and other advanced grammatical structures.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

sich verbreiten em 30 segundos

Reflexive verb meaning 'to spread'.
Used for news, smells, light, and diseases.
Always uses 'haben' in the perfect tense.
Commonly paired with 'wie ein Lauffeuer'.

The German verb sich verbreiten is a fundamental reflexive verb that translates to 'to spread' in English. It is primarily used to describe the movement or expansion of intangible things like news, rumors, diseases, smells, or light. Unlike the English word 'spread,' which can be used for physical actions like spreading butter on bread (which would be streichen in German), sich verbreiten focuses on the process of becoming known or prevalent over a larger area or among more people. In the context of modern communication, this word is essential for discussing how information travels across the internet or through social media networks. It implies a natural, often uncontrollable progression from one point to many. When a virus spreads through a population, or when a specific fashion trend becomes popular across different cities, Germans will consistently use sich verbreiten to capture that sense of expansion.

Reflexive Nature: The 'sich' in this verb is crucial. It indicates that the subject itself is undergoing the action of spreading. For example, 'Die Nachricht verbreitet sich' (The news spreads itself).
Abstract vs. Physical: While it can describe physical things like light or gas, it is most frequently used for abstract concepts like ideas, ideologies, and rumors.

Das Gerücht verbreitete sich in der ganzen Stadt innerhalb weniger Stunden.

In a sociological context, sich verbreiten is used to analyze the diffusion of innovations or cultural practices. When an anthropologist talks about how a specific ritual moved from one tribe to another, they are talking about how that ritual sich verbreitete. In science, particularly epidemiology, this verb is the standard way to describe the transmission of pathogens. If a doctor says, 'Die Grippe verbreitet sich momentan sehr schnell,' they are warning that the flu is currently spreading very rapidly. The verb carries a sense of momentum; once something starts to verbreiten, it often requires a concerted effort to stop it. This is why it is so frequently paired with adverbs like 'schnell' (fast), 'rasant' (rapidly), or 'unaufhaltsam' (unstoppable).

Angst verbreitete sich unter den Passagieren, als das Flugzeug wackelte.

Meteorological Use: Used for fog, clouds, or sunlight moving across a landscape.

Ein angenehmer Duft verbreitete sich in der Küche, als der Kuchen fertig war.

Mastering the grammar of sich verbreiten requires paying close attention to the reflexive pronoun 'sich' and its placement within the sentence. Since it is a reflexive verb, the pronoun changes based on the subject (mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich). However, because the subjects of this verb are almost always third-person (it, they, the news, the virus), you will most commonly encounter the form 'sich'. In a standard main clause, the conjugated verb takes the second position, and the reflexive pronoun usually follows immediately after. For example, 'Das Virus (subject) verbreitet (verb) sich (pronoun) schnell.' If you change the sentence to a question or start with an adverb, the order shifts: 'Schnell (adverb) verbreitet (verb) sich (pronoun) das Virus (subject).' This flexibility is typical of German syntax but can be tricky for English speakers who are used to a more rigid Subject-Verb-Object structure.

Tense Formations: Present: verbreitet sich; Simple Past: verbreitete sich; Present Perfect: hat sich verbreitet.

Die Ideologie hat sich im 19. Jahrhundert rasant verbreitet.

When using modal verbs, the infinitive sich verbreiten goes to the very end of the sentence. For instance, 'Die Krankheit kann sich schnell verbreiten' (The disease can spread quickly). Note that the reflexive pronoun stays with the infinitive but still must agree with the subject. In subordinate clauses (sentences starting with words like 'weil', 'dass', or 'obwohl'), the conjugated verb moves to the end, but the reflexive pronoun usually stays near the subject. Example: 'Ich glaube, dass sich die Nachricht schnell verbreiten wird.' Here, 'sich' follows the conjunction 'dass' and the subject. Understanding these positional nuances is key to sounding natural in German. Furthermore, pay attention to the prepositions often used with this verb. 'Über' is frequently used to describe the area over which something spreads (e.g., 'über das ganze Land'), while 'unter' describes the group of people among whom something spreads (e.g., 'unter den Studenten').

Warum verbreiten sich Falschinformationen so leicht in sozialen Netzwerken?

Prepositional Usage: Use 'in' for closed spaces, 'über' for geographic areas, and 'unter' for social groups.

Das Licht verbreitete sich über den Horizont.

You will encounter sich verbreiten across a wide variety of contexts, from daily news broadcasts to scientific journals and casual conversations. In the realm of journalism, it is perhaps most common. News anchors often report on how a fire sich verbreitet (spreads) through a forest or how a political movement sich verbreitet across a nation. With the rise of the digital age, the term is also ubiquitous in discussions about 'viral' content. If a video goes viral, Germans might say 'Das Video hat sich viral verbreitet.' In scientific and medical contexts, it is the standard term for the spread of pathogens, invasive species, or even physiological signals within the body. If you are reading a report from the Robert Koch Institute (the German equivalent of the CDC), you will see sich verbreiten used repeatedly to describe infection rates and geographic distribution of diseases.

In the News: Used for epidemics, forest fires, news, and economic trends.

Die Nachricht von seinem Rücktritt verbreitete sich wie ein Lauffeuer.

In everyday life, you might hear this word when people are gossiping. 'Hast du gehört? Das Gerücht verbreitet sich schon überall!' (Have you heard? The rumor is already spreading everywhere!). It's also used in more poetic or descriptive ways, such as describing how the smell of fresh coffee sich verbreitet in an apartment on a Sunday morning. In academic settings, particularly in history or sociology, professors will discuss how certain religions or philosophical ideas sich verbreiteten during specific eras. For example, 'Der Buddhismus verbreitete sich über die Seidenstraße.' This variety makes it a high-frequency verb that is essential for reaching B1 and B2 levels of proficiency. You'll also find it in literature, where authors use it to describe the spreading of light, shadows, or even a sense of dread or joy among a group of characters. It is a versatile tool for describing any form of expansion that isn't strictly mechanical or manual.

Ein Gefühl der Erleichterung verbreitete sich im Raum.

Social Media: Often used with 'viral' or 'online' to describe trending topics.

Das Meme verbreitete sich rasend schnell auf Twitter.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with sich verbreiten is omitting the reflexive pronoun 'sich'. In English, 'to spread' can be both transitive ('I spread the news') and intransitive ('The news spread'). In German, however, if the subject is the thing that is expanding (like news or a virus), you MUST use the reflexive form. Saying 'Die Nachricht verbreitet' is grammatically incomplete and sounds like the news is actively spreading something else. Another common pitfall is confusing sich verbreiten with sich ausbreiten. While they are very similar and often interchangeable, sich ausbreiten often implies a more physical, spatial expansion (like a city growing or a person stretching out on a sofa), whereas sich verbreiten is more common for information and disease distribution. Learners also often struggle with the distinction between verbreiten (to distribute/disseminate) and sich verbreiten (to spread/become prevalent).

The 'Butter' Mistake: Never use 'sich verbreiten' for spreading butter, jam, or paint. Use 'streichen' or 'auftragen'.

Falsch: Ich verbreite Butter auf das Brot. (Incorrect)

Another error involves the auxiliary verb in the Perfekt tense. Because 'sich verbreiten' describes a process of movement or change, many learners are tempted to use 'sein' (e.g., 'Die Nachricht ist sich verbreitet'). This is incorrect. Reflexive verbs in German almost exclusively use 'haben' as their auxiliary verb, regardless of the meaning. Therefore, it must always be 'hat sich verbreitet'. Furthermore, learners sometimes use the wrong preposition to describe where something is spreading. For example, using 'mit' instead of 'über' or 'in'. Remember: 'Die Nachricht verbreitet sich über das Internet' (via/over the internet), not 'mit dem Internet'. Finally, be careful not to confuse verbreiten with verbringen (to spend time). While they sound slightly similar to a beginner's ear, their meanings are entirely unrelated. To avoid these mistakes, practice the verb always in context with its reflexive pronoun and pay attention to how native speakers use it in news articles.

Richtig: Die Nachricht hat sich schnell verbreitet.

Preposition Pitfall: Avoid 'durch' if you mean 'across a region'; use 'über' instead.

Das Gerücht verbreitete sich unter den Kollegen.

German has several verbs that overlap with sich verbreiten, and choosing the right one can significantly improve your fluency. The most common alternative is sich ausbreiten. While often used as a synonym, sich ausbreiten has a stronger connotation of physical expansion or taking up space. You would use sich ausbreiten to describe a city expanding its borders or a person spreading their arms wide. In the context of a fire, both are used, but sich ausbreiten emphasizes the physical area covered. Another similar verb is kursieren (to circulate), which is specifically used for rumors, jokes, or money. If a rumor is 'going around,' kursieren is a very natural choice. For diseases that are spreading in a destructive or epidemic way, the verb grassieren is often used in formal or journalistic contexts. It carries a more negative, threatening tone than the neutral sich verbreiten.

sich ausbreiten: Physical expansion (e.g., a stain on a carpet, a forest fire, a city).
kursieren: Circulating (e.g., rumors, fake news, currency).
grassieren: Raging/spreading wildly (e.g., a plague, a wave of crime).

Das Gerücht kursiert schon seit Wochen in der Firma.

If you want to describe the intentional spreading of information by a person or organization, use the non-reflexive verbreiten or streuen. Streuen (literally 'to strew' or 'to scatter') is often used for 'planting' rumors or scattering seeds. Propagieren is another alternative, used for the active promotion of ideas or ideologies. In scientific contexts, you might see diffundieren (to diffuse), which describes the movement of particles from high to low concentration. For the spread of a smell, verströmen (to emit/exude) is a more descriptive and often more positive alternative. For example, 'Die Blumen verströmen einen herrlichen Duft.' Understanding these nuances allows you to be more precise. While sich verbreiten is a safe 'catch-all' term, using grassieren for a flu epidemic or kursieren for a workplace rumor will make your German sound much more sophisticated and native-like.

In der Stadt grassiert zurzeit eine schwere Grippewelle.

streuen: To scatter/seed (e.g., 'Gerüchte streuen' - to plant rumors).

Die Sonne verbreitete wohlige Wärme im Garten.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Die Epidemie verbreitete sich ungeachtet der staatlichen Interventionen."

Neutro

"Die Nachricht verbreitet sich im Internet."

Informal

"Das Gerücht verbreitet sich echt krass schnell."

Child friendly

"Der Duft von den Keksen verbreitet sich im ganzen Haus."

Gíria

"Das geht viral, das verbreitet sich wie Hölle."

Curiosidade

The root word 'breit' is a cognate of the English word 'broad'. So 'verbreiten' literally means 'to make broad' or 'to broaden' the reach of something.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /zɪç fɛɐ̯ˈbʁaɪ̯tn̩/

US /zɪx fɛrˈbraɪtən/

The primary stress is on the second syllable of the main verb: ver-BREI-ten.

Rima com

begleiten bereiten bestreiten gleiten leiten reiten schreiten weiten

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (it should be 'f').
Forgetting the 'ch' sound in 'sich'.
Stressing the first syllable 'ver'.
Pronouncing 'ei' like 'ee'.
Mumbling the reflexive pronoun 'sich'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Common in news and literature, easy to recognize.

Escrita 4/5

Requires correct reflexive pronoun and tense formation.

Expressão oral 4/5

Reflexive pronoun placement can be tricky in fast speech.

Audição 3/5

Easily understood in context.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

breit sich Nachricht schnell haben

Aprenda a seguir

ausbreiten kursieren grassieren verteilen streuen

Avançado

Diffusion Dissemination Epidemiologie Ideengeschichte Viralität

Gramática essencial

Reflexive Verbs

Ich verbreite mich (unusual), es verbreitet sich.

Perfekt with 'haben'

Die Nachricht hat sich verbreitet.

Prefix 'ver-'

Ver- indicates a process or change (verändern, verbessern).

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses

...weil sich die Nachricht verbreitet.

Dative/Accusative with Prepositions

Über das Land (Accusative) vs. In der Stadt (Dative).

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Exemplos por nível

Das Licht verbreitet sich im Zimmer.

The light spreads in the room.

Simple present tense with reflexive 'sich'.

Die Nachricht verbreitet sich schnell.

The news spreads fast.

Reflexive 'sich' follows the verb.

Ein guter Duft verbreitet sich.

A good smell spreads.

Subject 'Duft' is masculine, but 'sich' remains the same.

Die Musik verbreitet sich im Haus.

The music spreads in the house.

Preposition 'in' with dative case 'dem Haus'.

Sich verbreiten ist ein Verb.

To spread is a verb.

Infinitive form used as a noun.

Das Wasser verbreitet sich auf dem Boden.

The water spreads on the floor.

Reflexive verb describing physical movement.

Die Wärme verbreitet sich.

The warmth spreads.

Abstract physical property as subject.

Farbe verbreitet sich im Wasser.

Color spreads in the water.

Present tense usage.

Die Grippe verbreitet sich im Winter.

The flu spreads in winter.

Common health-related context.

Das Gerücht verbreitet sich in der Schule.

The rumor spreads in the school.

Prepositional phrase 'in der Schule'.

Ein Video verbreitet sich im Internet.

A video spreads on the internet.

Modern digital context.

Der Nebel verbreitet sich über das Feld.

The fog spreads over the field.

Preposition 'über' with accusative 'das Feld'.

Die Idee verbreitet sich unter den Menschen.

The idea spreads among the people.

Preposition 'unter' with dative 'den Menschen'.

Wie verbreitet sich diese Krankheit?

How does this disease spread?

Interrogative sentence structure.

Die Nachricht verbreitete sich gestern.

The news spread yesterday.

Simple past (Präteritum) form.

Das Feuer verbreitet sich im Wald.

The fire spreads in the forest.

Emergency context.

Die Nachricht hat sich wie ein Lauffeuer verbreitet.

The news spread like wildfire.

Present perfect with 'haben' and 'sich'.

Falschinformationen verbreiten sich oft sehr leicht.

Misinformation often spreads very easily.

Plural subject 'Falschinformationen'.

Die neue Mode verbreitet sich in ganz Europa.

The new fashion is spreading all over Europe.

Adjective 'ganz' used with geographic location.

Es ist wichtig zu wissen, wie sich Viren verbreiten.

It is important to know how viruses spread.

Infinitive clause with 'zu' and reflexive 'sich'.

Der Gestank verbreitete sich im ganzen Gebäude.

The stench spread through the whole building.

Präteritum form of the verb.

Die Panik verbreitete sich unter den Passagieren.

Panic spread among the passengers.

Abstract noun 'Panik' as subject.

Das Christentum verbreitete sich im Römischen Reich.

Christianity spread in the Roman Empire.

Historical context.

Warum verbreitet sich das Gerücht so schnell?

Why is the rumor spreading so fast?

Question with 'warum' and reflexive pronoun placement.

Die Ideologie verbreitete sich trotz der Zensur.

The ideology spread despite the censorship.

Preposition 'trotz' with genitive case.

Invasive Arten verbreiten sich in neuen Ökosystemen.

Invasive species spread in new ecosystems.

Scientific/Environmental context.

Die Nachricht verbreitete sich, bevor sie bestätigt wurde.

The news spread before it was confirmed.

Temporal clause with 'bevor'.

Die digitale Währung verbreitet sich als Zahlungsmittel.

The digital currency is spreading as a means of payment.

Economic context.

Ein Gefühl der Hoffnung verbreitete sich im Land.

A feeling of hope spread through the country.

Genitive attribute 'der Hoffnung'.

Das Wissen über die Technik verbreitet sich rasch.

Knowledge about the technology is spreading rapidly.

Subject 'Das Wissen' with prepositional object.

Die Proteste verbreiteten sich auf benachbarte Städte.

The protests spread to neighboring cities.

Preposition 'auf' describing direction of spread.

Durch das Internet können sich Ideen global verbreiten.

Through the internet, ideas can spread globally.

Modal verb 'können' with reflexive infinitive.

Die Skepsis gegenüber der Regierung verbreitete sich zusehends.

Skepticism towards the government spread visibly.

Advanced adverb 'zusehends'.

Die Kunde von seinem Erfolg verbreitete sich bis in den Fernen Osten.

The news of his success spread as far as the Far East.

Formal noun 'Die Kunde'.

Es verbreitete sich die Ansicht, dass Handeln nötig sei.

The view spread that action was necessary.

Konjunktiv I 'sei' in a subordinate clause.

Die Seuche verbreitete sich ungeachtet aller Vorsichtsmaßnahmen.

The plague spread regardless of all precautionary measures.

Preposition 'ungeachtet' with genitive.

Kulturelle Einflüsse verbreiten sich oft über Generationen hinweg.

Cultural influences often spread across generations.

Temporal expression 'über Generationen hinweg'.

Die Nachricht verbreitete sich via verschlüsselter Kanäle.

The news spread via encrypted channels.

Latin preposition 'via' with genitive/dative.

Ein Raunen verbreitete sich im Publikum, als er die Bühne betrat.

A murmur spread through the audience as he entered the stage.

Onomatopoeic noun 'Raunen'.

Die Aufregung verbreitete sich wie eine ansteckende Krankheit.

The excitement spread like a contagious disease.

Metaphorical comparison.

Die philosophische Strömung verbreitete sich im Gefolge des Humanismus.

The philosophical movement spread in the wake of humanism.

Idiomatic expression 'im Gefolge von'.

Es verbreitete sich ein Hauch von Melancholie über das Fest.

A touch of melancholy spread over the festival.

Poetic use of 'Hauch von'.

Die Kunde von der Entdeckung verbreitete sich in Windeseile.

The news of the discovery spread with lightning speed.

Genitive idiom 'in Windeseile'.

Die Agitation verbreitete sich vornehmlich in den urbanen Zentren.

The agitation spread primarily in the urban centers.

Formal adverb 'vornehmlich'.

Das Gedankengut verbreitete sich subversiv unter der Oberfläche.

The ideology spread subversively beneath the surface.

Abstract noun 'Gedankengut'.

Die Nachricht verbreitete sich, obgleich die Behörden schwiegen.

The news spread, although the authorities remained silent.

Conjunction 'obgleich' for concession.

Die Kunde verbreitete sich, dass der Friede nur von kurzer Dauer sei.

The news spread that the peace would be of short duration.

Complex noun clause with Konjunktiv I.

Eine Atmosphäre der Angst verbreitete sich im gesamten Staatsapparat.

An atmosphere of fear spread throughout the entire state apparatus.

Formal term 'Staatsapparat'.

Colocações comuns

sich rasant verbreiten

sich weltweit verbreiten

sich viral verbreiten

sich unaufhaltsam verbreiten

sich massenhaft verbreiten

sich heimlich verbreiten

sich unter Kollegen verbreiten

sich über das Internet verbreiten

sich im ganzen Land verbreiten

sich in Windeseile verbreiten

Frases Comuns

Nachrichten verbreiten sich

— Information becomes known to many people.

Nachrichten verbreiten sich heute schneller als früher.

Ein Gerücht verbreitet sich

— A rumor is being told to more and more people.

In kleinen Dörfern verbreitet sich jedes Gerücht sofort.

Krankheiten verbreiten sich

— Pathogens move from one host to another.

Krankheiten verbreiten sich oft durch mangelnde Hygiene.

Düfte verbreiten sich

— Smells move through the air in a room.

Der Duft von Rosen verbreitet sich im Garten.

Licht verbreitet sich

— Light illuminates a space.

Das Morgenlicht verbreitet sich über die Hügel.

Wissen verbreitet sich

— Educational content or facts become known.

Durch Bücher verbreitet sich Wissen über Generationen.

Angst verbreitet sich

— A feeling of fear affects a group.

Angst verbreitet sich oft in Krisenzeiten.

Mode verbreitet sich

— A style becomes popular in different places.

Diese Mode verbreitet sich gerade unter Jugendlichen.

Ideen verbreiten sich

— Concepts or thoughts are shared and adopted.

Gute Ideen verbreiten sich von selbst.

Panik verbreitet sich

— Sudden fear spreads through a crowd.

Panik verbreitete sich, als der Strom ausfiel.

Frequentemente confundido com

sich verbreiten vs versprechen

To promise. Sounds similar but totally different.

sich verbreiten vs verbringen

To spend time. Common confusion for beginners.

sich verbreiten vs verbreitern

To make something physically wider (like a road).

Expressões idiomáticas

"sich wie ein Lauffeuer verbreiten"

— To spread extremely fast, like a fire running through dry grass.

Die Nachricht von seinem Sieg verbreitete sich wie ein Lauffeuer.

common

"in Windeseile verbreiten"

— To spread with the speed of the wind.

Das Gerücht verbreitete sich in Windeseile.

formal

"die Runde machen"

— To go around (like news or a joke).

Die Geschichte macht schon die Runde.

informal

"unter die Leute kommen"

— To become known among the public.

Das Buch muss erst unter die Leute kommen.

informal

"festen Fuß fassen"

— To become established (often used after spreading).

Die neue Religion fasste schnell festen Fuß.

neutral

"um sich greifen"

— To spread in a threatening or negative way.

Die Korruption greift immer mehr um sich.

formal

"breite Kreise ziehen"

— To affect more and more people/areas.

Der Skandal zieht immer breitere Kreise.

journalistic

"zu Ohren kommen"

— To reach someone's ears (the result of spreading).

Es ist mir zu Ohren gekommen, dass...

neutral

"an die Öffentlichkeit gelangen"

— To reach the public eye.

Geheime Dokumente sind an die Öffentlichkeit gelangt.

formal

"Samen säen"

— To sow seeds (metaphorically spreading ideas).

Er säte den Samen des Zweifels.

literary

Fácil de confundir

sich verbreiten vs ausbreiten

Both mean 'to spread'.

Ausbreiten is more for physical space (arms, a city, a fire). Sich verbreiten is more for information or diseases.

Er breitet die Arme aus. Die Nachricht verbreitet sich.

sich verbreiten vs verteilen

Both involve distribution.

Verteilen is active distribution by someone (e.g., handing out flyers).

Ich verteile die Flyer. Die Nachricht verbreitet sich von selbst.

sich verbreiten vs streuen

Both mean to scatter/spread.

Streuen is often used for sand, salt, or 'planting' a specific rumor.

Der Bauer streut Samen. Jemand streut Gerüchte.

sich verbreiten vs kursieren

Both describe movement of info.

Kursieren is specific to rumors or currency 'going around' in a circle.

Das Gerücht kursiert in der Stadt.

sich verbreiten vs grassieren

Both describe spreading.

Grassieren is strictly for negative things (plagues, crime) and is more formal.

Die Grippe grassiert.

Padrões de frases

[Subject] verbreitet sich.

Das Licht verbreitet sich.

[Subject] verbreitet sich [Adverb].

Die Grippe verbreitet sich schnell.

[Subject] hat sich [Prepositional Phrase] verbreitet.

Die Nachricht hat sich im Dorf verbreitet.

Es verbreitet sich [Subject], dass [Clause].

Es verbreitet sich das Gerücht, dass er geht.

[Subject] verbreitete sich ungeachtet [Genitive].

Die Panik verbreitete sich ungeachtet der Warnungen.

Die [Noun] von [Noun] verbreitete sich in [Idiom].

Die Kunde von seinem Tod verbreitete sich in Windeseile.

[Subject] kann sich [Adverb] verbreiten.

Das Virus kann sich leicht verbreiten.

[Subject] verbreitet sich unter [Dative Group].

Die Mode verbreitet sich unter den Jugendlichen.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

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Como usar

frequency

High (Top 2000 words)

Erros comuns

Die Nachricht verbreitet schnell. → Die Nachricht verbreitet sich schnell.
You missed the reflexive pronoun 'sich'. Without it, the sentence is incomplete.
Ich verbreite Butter auf das Brot. → Ich streiche Butter auf das Brot.
'Verbreiten' is not used for physical substances like food. Use 'streichen'.
Die Nachricht ist sich verbreitet. → Die Nachricht hat sich verbreitet.
Reflexive verbs always use 'haben' in the perfect tense.
Das Gerücht verbreitet mit dem Internet. → Das Gerücht verbreitet sich über das Internet.
Use the preposition 'über' for digital or geographic distribution.
Die Krankheit verbreitet sich durch die Stadt. → Die Krankheit verbreitet sich in der Stadt.
While 'durch' is possible, 'in' or 'über' is more common for describing the area of prevalence.

Dicas

The Reflexive Rule

Always include 'sich' when the thing itself is the subject doing the spreading. If you leave it out, you change the meaning to 'spreading something else'.

Idiom Alert

Use 'wie ein Lauffeuer' to sound like a native speaker when talking about news that spreads fast.

Not for Butter

Remember that German has different words for 'spread'. Use 'streichen' for physical substances like jam or butter.

The 'V' Sound

The 'v' in 'verbreiten' is always pronounced like an 'f'. Practice saying 'fer-bry-ten'.

Preposition Choice

Use 'unter' when talking about people. 'Das Gerücht verbreitete sich unter den Studenten' sounds very natural.

News Context

When you hear 'verbreitet sich' in the news, it's almost always about a virus, a fire, or a new law.

Social Nuance

In Germany, talking about how information 'sich verbreitet' often leads to discussions about 'Datenschutz' (privacy).

Formal Alternative

For academic writing, consider using 'die Dissemination' or 'die Diffusion' instead of the noun 'die Verbreitung'.

Broaden your Horizon

Link 'verbreiten' to the English 'broaden'. Spreading something broadens its reach.

Auxiliary Verb

Never use 'ist' with 'sich verbreiten'. Even though it's a movement, reflexive verbs take 'haben'.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'verbreiten' as 'making it bright and wide'. When news spreads, it comes into the 'bright' light of day and covers a 'wide' area.

Associação visual

Visualize a drop of ink falling into a glass of water. The way the color 'spreads' through the water is exactly what 'sich verbreiten' describes.

Word Web

Nachricht Virus Gerücht Licht Duft Internet schnell überall

Desafio

Try to write three sentences about how your favorite hobby 'sich verbreitet' in your country using the past, present, and perfect tenses.

Origem da palavra

The verb comes from the Middle High German 'verbreiten', which is derived from the adjective 'breit' (wide). The prefix 'ver-' here indicates a process of making something wide or distributing it across a width.

Significado original: To make wider or to extend in width.

Germanic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using it to describe the spread of people (migration); 'sich ausbreiten' can sometimes sound aggressive or dehumanizing in that specific context.

English speakers often use 'spread' for everything. Germans are more specific (e.g., streichen for butter).

Die Leiden des jungen Werther (Goethe) - describing feelings spreading. Modern news headlines about COVID-19. Scientific papers on the 'Ausbreitung' of species.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Public Health

Viren verbreiten sich
Ansteckungsgefahr
Präventionsmaßnahmen
Infektionsketten

Social Media

Viral gehen
Inhalte teilen
Reichweite erhöhen
Algorithmus

Nature

Pollenflug
Samenverbreitung
Waldbrand
Nebel

Gossip

Hast du gehört?
Hinter dem Rücken
Geheimnis verraten
Stadtgespräch

History

Religionsausbreitung
Revolutionäre Ideen
Handelswege
Kulturtransfer

Iniciadores de conversa

"Wie verbreiten sich Nachrichten heutzutage am schnellsten?"

"Glaubst du, dass sich Gerüchte im Büro negativ auf das Klima auswirken?"

"Wie hat sich deine Lieblingsmusik in deinem Land verbreitet?"

"Was passiert, wenn sich Falschinformationen unkontrolliert verbreiten?"

"Hast du schon bemerkt, wie sich der Duft von Frühling draußen verbreitet?"

Temas para diário

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der sich ein Missverständnis verbreitet hat.

Wie hat sich die Nutzung von Smartphones in deiner Familie verbreitet?

Reflektiere darüber, wie sich positive Energie in einer Gruppe verbreiten kann.

Beschreibe den Weg einer Nachricht von der Quelle bis zu dir.

Welche Trends verbreiten sich momentan in deiner Stadt?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No. When it is reflexive ('sich verbreiten'), it means 'to spread' (the news spreads). When it is not reflexive ('verbreiten'), it means 'to spread something' (I spread the news). Both are common.

No, that is a common mistake. For butter, use 'streichen' or 'schmieren'. 'Sich verbreiten' is for things like news, smells, or light.

They are often synonyms, but 'sich ausbreiten' is more about physical space (like a stain spreading on a shirt), while 'sich verbreiten' is more about information or diseases.

It always uses 'haben' because it is a reflexive verb. 'Die Nachricht hat sich verbreitet' is correct.

You can say 'sich viral verbreiten'. Example: 'Das Video hat sich viral verbreitet.'

It is neutral and can be used in any context, from a scientific paper to a chat with a friend.

Usually 'über' (over/across) for areas, 'in' (in) for rooms/locations, or 'unter' (among) for groups of people.

Yes, 'Das Feuer verbreitet sich' is correct, although 'Das Feuer breitet sich aus' is perhaps more common.

Yes, 'die Verbreitung' means 'the spread' or 'the distribution'.

In the Präteritum, it is 'verbreitete sich'. In the Perfekt, it is 'hat sich verbreitet'.

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