German word

betreuen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈtʁɔɪ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verbtake care of

Example

Ich betreue heute die Kinder.

I'm taking care of the children today.

Illustration for betreuen (take care of)

More examples

Abends betreue ich als Babysitter ein Baby.

In the evening, I take care of a baby as a babysitter.

Core concept

A steady guide stays alongside people, groups, or tasks, supporting them and keeping them on course over time.

Common phrases

  • als Babysitter betreuen

    take care of as a babysitter

  • eine Gruppe betreuen

    oversee a group

Similar words

sich kümmern um: To handle someone's care or a matter personally and do what is necessary.
pflegen: To maintain a sick or injured person's condition through daily care.
versorgen: To meet essential needs by supplying food, medicine, or other provisions.
unterstützen: To assist with practical support that helps things go well.

Definition in German

betreuen bedeutet, eine Person, Gruppe oder Aufgabe über Zeit hinweg zu begleiten, zu unterstützen und zu leiten.

Word origin

Betreuen developed from Middle High German betreuwen, formed with be- and a root related to treu, and originally expressed faithful care or protection.

Usage tips

  • Betreuen covers both personal care and formal responsibility for projects or groups, so it is broader and more role-based than English care for.

Other meanings

  • be responsible forverb
  • care forverb
  • superviseverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Betreuungcaregivingnoun
  • betreutlooked-afteradjective

Word lists with this word