German word

mitkommen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmɪtˌkɔmən/

Meaning

  • verbcome along

Example

Kommst du mit?

Are you coming along?

Illustration for mitkommen (come along)

More examples

Bei dieser komplexen Diskussion kann ich nicht mitkommen.

I can't follow this complex discussion.

Core concept

Someone follows others toward a place or follows an explanation closely enough to keep up.

Common phrases

  • mitkommen in die Stadt

    come along to town

  • mitkommen zur Party

    come along to the party

Similar words

kommen: Reach a particular place after moving there.
mitgehen: Go together toward the same place or direction.
mitfahren: Ride together in one car or other vehicle.
begleiten: Accompany someone during travel or another activity.

Definition in German

Zusammen mit jemandem an einen Ort gehen; im übertragenen Sinn umgangssprachlich auch bei einer Erklärung folgen und etwas verstehen

Word origin

German formed mitkommen from mit, an element expressing accompaniment, and kommen, an inherited Germanic verb meaning come.

Usage tips

  • For the understanding sense, "Ich komme nicht mit" means that the speaker is not following the explanation, rather than that the speaker is refusing to travel.

Other meanings

  • understandverb

Opposites

  • fernbleibenstay awayverb

Related words

  • Mitkommencoming alongnoun
  • mitgekommenhaving come alongadjective

Word lists with this word