Beizustehen

Beizustehen is a German verb meaning to stand by someone and provide help or support, especially in difficult situations. It encompasses practical assistance as well as moral support and is used in everyday language as well as in more formal or legal contexts.

Grammatically, beizustehen is usually expressed with a dative object in the phrase jemandem beizustehen. In everyday speech people say ich stehe dir bei (I stand by you) or er stand ihm bei in past contexts. The infinitive with zu appears as beizustehen, for example in the sentence Es ist wichtig, beizustehen. The past tense is beigestanden (Ich habe dir beigestanden).

Beizustehen is closely related to Beistand, the noun meaning assistance or support, and to the idiom zur Seite stehen (to stand by someone or to support). Synonyms and related expressions include unterstützen, helfen, beistehen, and Beistand leisten. The choice of wording can convey nuances from practical aid to moral backing, or a formal commitment to assist.

Etymology and usage notes: the term derives from the prefix be- combined with stehen, literally “to stand by.” It is commonly used in social and legal language as well as in everyday speech. In legal or formal prose, Beistand may also refer to a person who provides counsel or support in proceedings, reinforcing the general sense of aid or protection offered by standing alongside someone.