Verb

vertreiben

Translation

to drive away, to expel, to distribute, to pass time

Der Hund vertreibt die Katzen.

The dog drives the cats away.

Diese Firma vertreibt Software.

This company distributes software.

Er vertreibt sich die Zeit mit Lesen.

He passes the time by reading.

((j-n/et4)) ((aus+3)) to drive (sb./sth.) away (from somewhere) He drove the dog out of the house.

((et4)) to distribute/sell (sth.) The company sells computers.

((sich)) die Zeit ((mit+3)) to pass the time (with sth.) She passes the time by painting.

verjagen (to chase away); verkaufen (to sell); die Zeit verbringen (to spend time)

From 'ver-' (prefix often meaning 'away' or 'forth') + 'treiben' (to drive). Literally 'to drive away/forth'.

Think of 'drive'. 'ver-' (away) + 'treiben' (drive) = to drive away. For 'to sell', imagine driving the products out of the warehouse to customers.