Verb

verleihen

Translation

to loan, to award, to rent out

Kannst du mir dein Buch verleihen?

Can you loan me your book?

Ihm wurde ein Preis verliehen.

He was awarded a prize.

Sie verleihen Fahrräder am Bahnhof.

They rent out bicycles at the station.

((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to loan sth. to sb. He is loaning money to his friend.

((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to award sth. to sb. The university is awarding him the title.

((sth.acc)) ((to sb.acc)) to rent sth. out to sb. They rent boats out to tourists.

Synonyms: borgen (to lend), mieten (to rent); Antonyms: leihen (to borrow), zurückgeben (to return)

Composed of the prefix 'ver-' and 'leihen' (to lend/borrow). 'ver-' directs the action outwards, so it means 'to lend out' or 'loan'.

Think of it as the formal version of lending. You 'verleihen' a prize, which is more official than just lending a pen.