Betreten

Betreten is a German verb meaning to enter a place or to set foot on something, for example a surface or ground. It can also refer to the act of stepping onto or into something. In addition, Betreten functions as a noun in the form das Betreten, which denotes the act of entering or treading.

Etymology and meanings: The word is formed with the prefix be- added to treten (to tread or to step). The prefix adds a sense of direction or completion to the action. Betreten can describe physical entry into a location, such as a room, a building, or a terrain, as well as the action of placing one’s foot on a surface.

Conjugation and forms: Present tense forms are ich betrete, du betrittst, er betritt, wir betreten, ihr betretet, sie betreten. The simple past (Präteritum) forms are ich betratt, du betrattst, er betrat, wir betraten, ihr betrattet, sie betraten. The past participle is betreten, used with haben in perfect constructions: Ich habe den Raum betreten. The passive form is Es darf hier nicht betreten werden.

Usage and examples: Betreten is common in everyday language and in signage. Examples include: Der Besucher betritt den Saal. Bitte betreten Sie das Gebäude durch die Haupteingangstür. Betreten des Rasens verboten. In legal or safety contexts, the noun das Betreten describes the act itself, as in Das Betreten des Privatgrundstücks ist untersagt.

See also: Verbs similar to betreten include eintreten (to enter a place or room) and betreten as a general term for crossing onto a surface or into an area.