benennt

Benennt is the third-person singular present tense form of the German verb benennen, meaning to name, designate, or appoint. The verb is formed from the stem benenn- plus the standard present-tense ending -t, yielding er benennt. Other present forms include ich benenne, du benennst, wir benennen, ihr benennt, sie benennen. The prefix be- is common in German verb formation and benennen is typically understood as an act of designation rather than mere mention.

Usage and nuance

Benennt is used when someone officially names or designates a person, thing, or office. This can include appointing someone to a position, assigning a name to an entity, or designating a specific status. It is common in formal, administrative, journalistic, and legal language. Examples: Der Präsident benennt den neuen Außenminister. Die Jury benennt den Sieger.

Difference from nennen

Nennen generally means to name or mention in a broad sense. Benennen carries a nuance of formal designation or official naming, often implying an act of appointment, designation, or specification rather than casual labeling.

Grammar and related forms

The past participle of benennen is benannt, used in perfect and passive constructions (Der Minister wurde benannt). The noun form is Benennung, meaning “naming” or “designation.” The verb is inseparable, with no separable-prefix forms.

See also

Nennen, Benennung, Benannt.