befreien
Translation
to free, to liberate, to release, to exempt
Examples
Sie befreiten die Gefangenen.
They freed the prisoners.
Er wurde von der Pflicht befreit.
He was exempted from the duty.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.)) to free sb./sth. They freed the prisoners.
((sb.)) ((von+dat)) to exempt sb. from sth. He was exempted from the duty.
Similar Words
Synonyms: freilassen, erlösen; Antonyms: gefangen nehmen (to capture), versklaven (to enslave)
Etymology
Prefix 'be-' + adjective 'frei' (free). Literally 'to make free'.
Memory Tips
The prefix 'be-' often turns an adjective into a verb meaning 'to make something [adjective]'. For example, frei -> befreien.