German word

geraten

Pronunciation

IPA/gəˈʁaːtən/

Meaning

  • verbget into

Example

Wir gerieten gestern in Panik.

We panicked yesterday.

Illustration for geraten (get into)

More examples

Ohne Plan geriet das Projekt schnell in Schwierigkeiten.

Without a plan, the project quickly got into trouble.

Core concept

Events carry someone along until they end up in a situation they did not choose.

Common phrases

  • in Schwierigkeiten geraten

    get into trouble

  • in Gefahr geraten

    get into danger

  • in Not geraten

    get into distress

Similar words

kommen: Naturally come to be in a place or state through events or change.
bekommen: Suddenly begin to feel an emotion or develop a symptom.
landen: End up in a place or state as a result of various events.

Definition in German

Ohne eigenes Zutun in einen Zustand kommen; häufig mit 'in' + Akkusativ verwendet und meist ein unerwünschtes Ergebnis bezeichnend

Word origin

Geraten comes from Old High German giratan and developed from reaching or attaining something to coming into a situation or result.

Usage tips

  • In the common pattern 'in ... geraten', 'in' takes the accusative because the phrase describes entering a state or situation.

Other meanings

  • turn outverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word