German word

dabei

Pronunciation

IPA/daˈbaɪ̯/

Meaning

  • adverbwith you

Example

Hast du deinen Ausweis dabei?

Do you have your ID with you?

Illustration for dabei (with you)

More examples

Bei der Besprechung war Herr Müller nicht dabei.

Mr. Müller wasn't present at the meeting.

Core concept

Someone is there beside another person, or has a person or thing along with them.

Common phrases

  • bei der Besprechung dabei sein

    be present at the meeting

  • bei dem Experiment dabei sein

    be present during the experiment

Similar words

mit dabei: Taking part in an event or activity and being there.
da: Being present in a particular place.

Definition in German

Bei jemandem oder etwas anwesend sein; außerdem etwas bei sich tragen oder mit sich führen.

Word origin

Dabei combines da, meaning "there" or "then," with bei, meaning "by" or "near," and its uses developed from presence to accompaniment and possession.

Usage tips

  • In "Ich bin dabei," dabei often means taking part in an activity rather than merely being physically nearby.

Other meanings

  • thenadverb
  • alongadverb
  • at the same timeadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Dabeiseinbeing presentnoun

Word lists with this word