Verb

begegnen

Translation

to meet, to encounter, to run into

Ich bin ihm zufällig begegnet.

I ran into him by chance.

Wir sind vielen Schwierigkeiten begegnet.

We encountered many difficulties.

((j-m/et3)) to meet/encounter sb./sth. (dative) I met my old teacher yesterday.

Synonyms: treffen (more intentional, takes accusative); Antonyms: to avoid

Comes from the prefix 'be-' and 'gegen' (toward, against). It conveys the sense of coming 'toward' or running up 'against' someone.

This verb always requires the dative case, which is a key point to memorize. 'Ich begegne IHM' (I meet HIM).