benötigen

Definition & meaning

The verb benötigen means "to need," "to require," or "to be in need of." It is used to express that something is necessary for a person to have or for a specific purpose to be fulfilled.

1. To need/require something: Used when a person or a process necessitates an object, a person, or a resource. For example: "Ich benötige deine Hilfe" (I need your help).
2. To take time: It can also be used to describe the duration required for an activity. For example: "Wir benötigen zwei Stunden für die Fahrt" (We need/it takes us two hours for the trip).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

• Type: Regular, transitive verb.
• Auxiliary verb: haben
• Conjugation: Requires an accusative object (e.g., "Ich benötige Hilfe" - I need help).

Word origin: The word is a compound of the prefix be- (which turns the verb into a transitive action) and nötigen (to force or compel). It stems from the Old High German word niot, related to "need" or "desire." It conveys the sense of being "driven" by necessity.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• brauchen↗ (the most common, everyday synonym)
• erfordern↗ (to call for/to demand, usually for abstract things or conditions)
• nötig haben[?](vocabuo://word/nötig haben) (to have need of)
• bedürfen↗ (a more formal, often legal or elevated term that takes the genitive case)

Antonyms:

• entbehren↗ (to lack or to do without)
• überflüssig sein[?](vocabuo://word/überflüssig sein) (to be superfluous/unnecessary)