mitgehen

Mitgehen is a German verb meaning to go with someone, to accompany, or to join in doing something. It combines mit- (together) with gehen (to go). The primary sense is physical accompaniment: you go to a place together with another person.

In addition to literal movement, mitgehen is used figuratively to express agreement or solidarity with a proposal, plan, or sentiment. For example, ich kann dem Vorschlag nicht mitgehen means “I can’t go along with the proposal.” It can also convey sharing someone’s feelings or concerns in a given situation, similar to sympathizing with them.

Grammar and forms: mitgehen is a separable-prefix verb. In main clauses, the prefix is typically separated and appears after the finite verb: ich gehe heute mit. In subordinate clauses or with inflected modal verbs, the infinitive remains mitgehen: ich möchte mitgehen, er kann dem Plan nicht mitgehen. For completed movement or action, the auxiliary verb is sein: ich bin mitgegangen.

Common related verbs include mitkommen (to come along) and begleiten (to accompany). The past participle of mitgehen is mitgegangen. Typical collocations include going along with a plan, accompanying someone, or expressing willingness to participate.

This overview covers core meaning, figurative use, and basic grammar, helping distinguish mitgehen from closely related verbs and clarifying its separable-prefix behavior in different tenses and moods.