Looking up...
vertreiben
/fɛɐ̯ˈtʁaɪ̯bn̩/
drive out
Die Regierung will die illegalen Händler aus dem Park vertreiben.
The government wants to drive the illegal vendors out of the park.
general
To force someone or something to leave a place, often permanently.
Der Wind vertrieb die Vögel von den Bäumen.
The wind drove the birds away from the trees.
Der neue Chef vertrieb die alte Belegschaft durch harte Maßnahmen.
The new boss drove out the old staff through harsh measures.
Can imply physical removal (e.g., animals, people) or metaphorical displacement (e.g., memories). Often used with 'aus' + dative (location).
Business
Business
To sell or distribute goods, especially in a commercial context.
Der Händler vertrieb seine Waren auf dem Markt.
The merchant sold/distributed his goods at the market.
Less common than the primary meaning; often used in retail or trade contexts.
literary
To dispel or banish something abstract, like fears or doubts.
Die Sonne vertrieb die Dunkelheit.
The sun dispelled the darkness.
Poetic or metaphorical usage, often in literature.
Collocations
jdn. aus etw. vertreibento drive sb. out of sth.Angst vertreibento dispel fearWaren vertreibento sell/distribute goods
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Preposition Pairing
Remember that 'vertreiben' often pairs with 'aus' + dative for physical removal (e.g., 'aus dem Haus vertreiben') or 'von' + dative for metaphorical removal (e.g., 'Angst von sich vertreiben').
Gold Rule
Physical vs. Abstract
Use 'vertreiben' for physical removal (e.g., animals, people) and metaphorical removal (e.g., fears, doubts). For selling goods, it’s less common but still valid in business contexts.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'vertriben', from Old High German 'fartriban' (to drive away), composed of 'ver-' (intensifying prefix) + 'treiben' (to drive). Cognate with English 'drive' and Dutch 'verdrijven'.
Usage Notes
Commonly used with prepositions 'aus' (out of) or 'von' (from) to specify the location being vacated. The past participle 'vertrieben' can mean 'driven out' or 'exiled'.
Word Breakdown
ver-
intensifying prefix (often indicates completion or thoroughness)
prefix-treiben
to drive
rootDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch