besteigen
Translation
to climb, to ascend, to mount, to board
Examples
Er hat den Berg bestiegen.
He has climbed the mountain.
Sie bestieg das Pferd.
She mounted the horse.
Der König bestieg den Thron.
The king ascended the throne.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) to climb/mount sth. He bestieg the highest mountain in the Alps.
Similar Words
Synonyms: erklimmen, hinaufsteigen; Antonyms: absteigen (to descend)
Etymology
From the prefix 'be-' (acting upon something) and 'steigen' (to climb, rise). It emphasizes the action of climbing *onto* a specific object.
Memory Tips
'steigen' is to climb in general, while 'besteigen' is to climb a specific object (a mountain, a horse, a throne). The 'be-' makes the verb transitive.