umgeben
Translation
to surround, to enclose, to encompass
Examples
Hohe Mauern umgeben das alte Schloss.
High walls surround the old castle.
Er umgibt sich gern mit klugen Leuten.
He likes to surround himself with smart people.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) to surround sth. A fence surrounds the property.
sich ((mit+3)) to surround oneself with sth. He surrounds himself with books.
Similar Words
Synonyms: umschließen, umringen, einkreisen
Etymology
From the prefix 'um-' (around) + 'geben' (to give). Think of 'giving' a boundary 'around' something, hence 'to surround'.
Memory Tips
This is an inseparable verb, so the prefix 'um-' does not detach. The stress is on the root verb: umGEben.