befreien/bəˈfʁaɪ̯ən/to free; to liberate; to exempt
befreien is a German verb that means to free, to liberate, or to exempt. It is pronounced /bəˈfʁaɪ̯ən/. In conjugation, the simple past is "befreite" and the past participle is "befreit".
Definitions
1.to set free or liberate someone/something from confinement, restriction, or oppression(physical or metaphorical release)
a.to release someone from captivity or constraint
Die Soldaten befreiten die Gefangenen aus dem Lager.—The soldiers freed the prisoners from the camp.
b.to make someone feel relieved or unburdened from something
Das offene Gespräch hat ihn von seinen Sorgen befreit.—The open conversation relieved him of his worries.
2.to exempt someone from an obligation or duty(law, administration)
a.to officially release someone from a requirement
Schüler mit Attest werden vom Sportunterricht befreit.—Students with a medical certificate are exempted from physical education class.
Conjugation
| Infinitive | befreien |
|---|---|
| Present (ich) | befreie |
| Present (du) | befreist |
| Present (er/sie/es) | befreit |
| Preterite (ich) | befreite |
| Participle II | befreit |
| Konjunktiv II (ich) | befreite |
| Imperative (singular) | befreie |
| Imperative (plural) | befreit |
| Auxiliary | haben |
Frequently asked questions
- What does "befreien" mean in English?
- "befreien" means to free, to liberate, or to exempt. It is a German verb.
- How do you pronounce "befreien"?
- "befreien" is pronounced /bəˈfʁaɪ̯ən/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet.
- What is the past participle of "befreien"?
- The past participle (Partizip II) of "befreien" is "befreit", used with the auxiliary "haben".
- What is the simple past of "befreien"?
- In the simple past (Präteritum), "befreien" becomes "befreite" in the first person singular.
- What part of speech is "befreien"?
- "befreien" is a verb in German.
