verb

erteilen

give · assign · grant

Jemandem etwas geben oder sagen, meist in Form einer Aufgabe, Anweisung oder Erlaubnis.

Definition & meaning

erteilen is a formal German verb meaning to grant, issue, give, or impart something, usually an official authorization, instruction, order, lesson, or piece of information.

Its main meanings are:

To grant or issue officially
- to grant permission: eine Genehmigung erteilen — to grant a permit
- to issue an order: einen Auftrag erteilen — to place or give an order
- to give someone a mandate or authorization
To give or impart something
- to give lessons: Unterricht erteilen
- to provide information: Auskunft erteilen
- to give advice or instructions

It is a relatively formal word and is especially common in administrative, legal, educational, and professional contexts.

Grammar & Word origin

Infinitive: erteilen
Present tense: ich erteile, du erteilst, er/sie erteilt
Simple past: erteilte
Past participle: erteilt
Auxiliary verb: haben
Type: transitive, inseparable verb

Typical construction:

jemandem etwas erteilen — to give or grant something to someone

Examples:

Die Behörde erteilt ihm eine Genehmigung. — The authority grants him a permit.
Die Lehrerin erteilt den Schülern Unterricht. — The teacher gives the students lessons.

The word consists of the prefix er- and teilen , originally meaning “to divide” or “share.” In erteilen, the meaning developed toward “assigning” or “giving something to someone.” The prefix is inseparable: ich erteile, not ich teile er.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

gewähren — to grant or allow; often emphasizes giving someone a right, benefit, or permission.
bewilligen — to approve or authorize officially, especially applications, funding, or requests.
geben — the general word for “give”; less formal and less specific than erteilen.
ausstellen — to issue or produce an official document, certificate, or ticket; it cannot normally replace erteilen in all contexts.
anweisen — to instruct or direct someone to do something.
befehlen — to command; stronger and more authoritative than erteilen.
unterrichten — to teach; more specific than Unterricht erteilen.
mitteilen — to communicate or inform; more neutral than Auskunft erteilen.

Antonyms

verweigern — to refuse or deny something that someone requests or expects.
entziehen — to withdraw something previously granted, such as permission or authorization.
widerrufen — to revoke or cancel an official decision, statement, or authorization.