“Beide” vs. “Beides”: What’s the Difference?
Learning German can sometimes feel like navigating a puzzle, especially when you encounter words that look and sound similar but are used differently. One such pair that often confuses students is "beide" and "beides." In this article, I will break down the differences between these two words, explain when to use each one, and provide plenty of examples to make it all clear.
Recommended study materials on the topic:
A-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)
German Verb Charts: Learning Regular and Irregular Verbs at a glance
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What do “beide” and “beides” mean?
Both “beide” and “beides” can be translated as “both” in English, but they are used in different contexts in German.
The usage of “beide”
“Beide” is used when referring to two specific items, people, or animals within a group. It can function as both a pronoun and an adjective.
“Beide” as a pronoun
"Beide" stands alone and does not need to be followed by a noun. It emphasizes that both members of a pair are being discussed.
Example: Beide haben den Film gesehen. (Both have seen the movie.)
“Beide” as an adjective
Beide" directly modifies a noun and must agree with it regarding gender and case.
Example: Ich habe beide Bücher gelesen. (I have read both books.)
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The usage of “beides”
“Beides” is always used as a pronoun and refers to a combination of two general things, actions, or ideas. It remains the same regardless of gender or case because it is neutral.
Example: Er kann beides – singen und tanzen.
(He can do both – sing and dance.)
Unlike “beide,” which refers to specific items or people, “beides” focuses on two concepts or qualities without specifying particular objects or individuals.
Example: Ich mag beides – Schokolade und Vanille.
(I like both – chocolate and vanilla.)
In essence, “beides” is used when discussing two abstract or non-specific elements.
Remember: “Beide” emphasizes both members of a specific pair, while “beides” refers to two general ideas, actions, or qualities—perfect for differentiating between concrete and abstract references in German.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Mixing Up Contexts:
One common mistake is using “beide” instead of “beides” when referring to two abstract concepts.
Incorrect: Ich mag beide. (This is ambiguous and sounds like you are talking about two specific people or things.)
Correct: Ich mag beides.
2. Using “Beides” with Specific Nouns:
Remember, “beides” should not be used with specific nouns.
Incorrect: Ich habe beides Bücher gelesen.
Correct: Ich habe beide Bücher gelesen.
Conclusion
I hope that after reading this article you know when to use “beide” and “beides” in German. Understanding the difference between them will make your German more precise and clear. Keep practicing, and you’ll get the hang of it!
You should also check out the difference between "Paar" and "paar" in German.
Bis bald!
Steffie
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