German word

bei

Pronunciation

IPA/baɪ̯/

Meaning

  • prepositionfor

Example

Er arbeitet bei Siemens.

He works for Siemens.

Illustration for bei (for)

More examples

Wir treffen uns bei mir.

We meet at my place.

Core concept

A person, workplace, or event forms the nearby setting in which something exists or happens.

Common phrases

  • bei mir

    at my place

  • bei dir

    at your place

  • bei Freunden

    at friends' place

Similar words

zu: Indicates movement toward or arrival at a person or place.
in: Indicates location within a building or other place.
neben: Indicates a position immediately next to someone or something.
mit: Indicates being together with someone or taking part in a joint activity.

Definition in German

bei drückt Zugehörigkeit, Aufenthalt oder Umstände aus und regiert den Dativ.

Word origin

The German preposition bei is an inherited Germanic word from Old High German bī, with a close historical counterpart in English by.

Usage tips

  • In bei Siemens, bei identifies the employer or organization, although English normally translates the phrase with for Siemens.

Other meanings

  • nearpreposition
  • at ___'s placepreposition
  • duringpreposition

Opposites

Word lists with this word