einstehen
stand up
Für etwas oder jemanden da sein und Verantwortung dafür übernehmen.
Definition & meaning
Einstehen is a separable German verb meaning to stand up for someone or something, to take responsibility, or to be liable for something.
- To support or defend: für jemanden einstehen means to stand up for or support someone.
- To take responsibility or be liable: für etwas einstehen means to accept responsibility for something or to be answerable for it, including financial obligations.
- In some contexts, it can also mean to guarantee something.
Grammar & word origin
Einstehen combines ein (“in” or “into”) and stehen (“to stand”). It is a separable verb: in a main clause, the prefix moves to the end, as in Ich stehe für dich ein (“I stand up for you”).
Its past participle is eingestanden; the perfect tense uses haben: hat eingestanden. Note that this participle is also used with the separate verb eingestehen (“to admit”), which has a different meaning.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms depend on the sense:
- vertreten — to represent or defend a person, position, or interest; less focused on personal responsibility.
- unterstützen — to support someone; broader and not necessarily implying that you will answer for them.
- haften — to be legally or financially liable; more specific than einstehen.
- bürgen — to guarantee or act as a guarantor, especially for a debt; usually narrower and more formal.
Possible antonyms, depending on context:
- sich drücken — to shirk responsibility.
- ausweichen — to evade or avoid something, such as responsibility.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Sie standen mutig für ihre Meinung ein.verb
They stood up bravely for their opinion.
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