Before you start
Meet freigeben
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 5 meanings
- to release, to declassify (to put at public disposal)
- to release, to liberate (to set free from imprisonment)
- to furlough (to grant a furlough to someone)
- (computing) to unlock (to enable access to a protected resource)
- (computing) to activate, to enable (to put a software functionality into operation)
Build the meaning
frei- + geben
- frei-
- free, no longer held back or restricted
- geben
- to give
To give something into a free or unrestricted state is to release it or make it available.
So freigeben means to release, make available, or authorize.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: frei·geben
In a main clause the prefix frei splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDer Arzt gibt das Zimmer frei.The doctor releases the room.
Subordinate clauseWir warten, weil der Chef den Raum freigibt.We are waiting because the boss is making the room available.
Participle: freigegebenzu-infinitive: freizugeben
Forms
How freigeben changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | gebe frei | gab frei |
| du | gibst frei | gabst frei |
| er/sie/es | gibt frei | gab frei |
| wir | geben frei | gaben frei |
| ihr | gebt frei | gabt frei |
| Sie | geben frei | gaben frei |
Partizip II freigegeben · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Der Chef gibt den Raum heute frei.The boss is making the room available today.prefix goes to the end
- 2Die Polizei hat die Straße wieder freigegeben.The police have reopened the road.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich hoffe, dass sie den Platz bald freigibt.I hope she releases the space soon.verb at the end after dass
Verb family
More verbs built on geben
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.