German Conversation · Level 181
30 words
German word
gesellen
Pronunciation
IPA/gəˈzɛlən/
Meaning
- verbjoin
Example
Sie gesellen sich zu den anderen.
They join the others.
More examples
Sie gesellen sich an den Tisch.
She joins at the table.
Core concept
A newcomer settles into an established circle beside its members.
Common phrases
sich gesellen an den Tisch
join at the table
sich gesellen zu den Feiernden
join those celebrating
Similar words
dazukommen: Arriving at a place and joining the people already there.
sich anschließen: Following a person or group in support and beginning to act together.
mitmachen: Participating in an activity or game with others.
beitreten: Becoming an official member of an organization or group.
Definition in German
sich zu einer Person oder Gruppe stellen und als Mitglied dazukommen
Word origin
The verb gesellen derives from Geselle, meaning companion or fellow, and its reflexive construction developed the sense of joining companions.
Usage tips
- Sich gesellen normally takes zu with the dative, as in sich zu den anderen gesellen; the expression is more formal than dazukommen or sich anschließen.
Other meanings
- join upverb
Opposites
- ausgrenzenexcludeverb
- fernbleibenstay awayverb
Related words
- Geselligkeitsociabilitynoun
- Gesellecompanionnoun