German Conversation · Level 30
89 words
German word
greifen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈgʁaɪ̯fən/
Meaning
- verbgrab
Example
Ich greife nach dem Buch.
I take hold of the book.
More examples
Beim Fallen greife ich instinktiv nach dem Geländer.
While falling, I instinctively reach for the railing.
Core concept
An open hand reaches toward a target, closes around it, and holds it.
Common phrases
nach etwas greifen
reach for something
mit der Hand greifen
grasp with the hand
nach dem Seil greifen
reach for the rope
Similar words
nehmen: Take something into one's hands and make it one's own.
packen: Grasp something firmly and with force.
anfassen: Touch something with the hand to feel its surface.
zugreifen: Reach out and take hold of something.
Definition in German
Etwas mit der Hand packen oder durch Ausstrecken der Hand versuchen, es zu erreichen.
Word origin
Greifen is an inherited Germanic verb related to English grip and Dutch grijpen, with earlier German forms such as Old High German grifan.
Usage tips
- When the intended object is expressed with nach, greifen takes the dative, as in nach dem Buch greifen.