German word

betreiben

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈtʁaɪ̯bən/

Meaning

  • verbrun

Example

Er betreibt eine Bäckerei in der Stadt.

He runs a bakery in town.

Illustration for betreiben (run)

More examples

Neben dem Studium betreibt sie einen Onlineshop.

Alongside her studies, she runs an online shop.

Core concept

A person keeps a bakery, machine, or ongoing activity moving and in working order.

Common phrases

  • ein Geschäft betreiben

    run a business

  • einen Onlineshop betreiben

    run an online shop

  • eine Website betreiben

    run a website

Similar words

leiten: Directing a project or department and coordinating its day-to-day work.
führen: Guiding people or an organization and accepting responsibility for its decisions and actions.
betreuen: Providing ongoing care, assistance, and attention to people or cases.
bewirtschaften: Using and managing land or resources for productive purposes.

Definition in German

Eine Firma, Maschine oder Tätigkeit so führen, dass sie funktioniert und fortbesteht.

Word origin

Betreiben combines the prefix be- with treiben, an inherited Germanic verb meaning to drive, and developed from driving something to managing or carrying it on.

Usage tips

  • Betreiben takes a direct accusative object, as in eine Bäckerei betreiben, and can also refer to pursuing activities such as Sport or Forschung.

Other meanings

  • operateverb
  • driveverb
  • conductverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Betreiberoperatornoun
  • der Betriebbusinessnoun

Word lists with this word