Mitlaufen

Mitlaufen is a German separable-prefix verb formed from mit- and laufen. It literally means to run with someone, i.e., to move alongside another person by running. It is also used figuratively to mean joining an activity or event, i.e., to participate together with others. The prefix mit- signals accompaniment or participation.

In usage, mitlaufen covers both physical action and social participation. Examples: Ich laufe heute mit dir mit. (I will run with you today.) Wir laufen beim Firmenlauf mit. (We are taking part in the company run.) In non-physical sense, Man läuft bei der Aktion mit, or Sie läuft bei dem Projekt mit, meaning she participates in the effort. The verb is common in everyday speech; in more formal contexts, mitmachen or dabei sein may be preferred.

Grammar-wise, mitlaufen is separable. In present tense the prefix separates: Ich laufe mit, Du läufst mit, Wir laufen mit. In perfect tense it uses sein: Ich bin mitgelaufen. The simple past is ich lief mit.

Related terms include mitgehen (to go along or accompany) and mitmachen (to participate). The nuance distinguishes physical accompaniment (mitlaufen) from general participation (mitmachen); mitlaufen emphasizes moving along with someone, while mitmachen emphasizes involvement in an activity.