German word

kriegen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkʁiːgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbget

Example

Heute kriege ich ein Geschenk.

Today, I'm getting a present.

Illustration for kriegen (get)

More examples

Wenn du Glück hast, kriegst du eine Chance.

If you're lucky, you'll get a chance.

Core concept

Something, a result, or a moving target comes within a person's grasp.

Common phrases

  • etwas kriegen

    get something

  • eine Chance kriegen

    get a chance

  • einen Anruf kriegen

    get a call

Similar words

bekommen: Receive something or information from another person.
erhalten: Receive something or information in formal situations or writing.
nehmen: Take hold of something deliberately to make it yours.
holen: Go and bring a person or thing back to where you are.

Definition in German

Informelles Verb, etwas (gegenständlich oder abstrakt) erhalten; in der gesprochenen Sprache häufig anstelle von bekommen gebraucht.

Word origin

Kriegen developed from Middle High German kriegen, related to Low German and Dutch forms, and its older sense involved striving or fighting before extending to obtaining and receiving.

Usage tips

  • Kriegen is informal and common in speech, while bekommen is usually safer in formal writing.

Other meanings

  • obtainverb
  • catchverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word