Mit seiner provokanten PR-Aktion zur Eröffnung wollte er Punkte bei linken Aktivisten sammeln.
What is the meaning of the preposition bei in the sentence above?
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4 Answers
It's based on the idea/metaphor of bookkeeping. X gives Y points for good behavior. And vice versa, Y tries to increase the number of points in X's book by behaving in a way X approves of.
So, in your example
linke Aktivisten
are X
er
is Y
The bei in your example is not an exception, but the rule for a loose relation to a person:
- bei jemandem beliebt sein
- bei jemandem Schulden haben
- bei jemandem in der Kreide stehen
- Du hast einen Gefallen bei mir gut.
A closer relation to that person would more likely be phrased directly i.e. without preposition:
- jemanden lieben/hassen/verachten
-
1Good examples! Interestingly, German indicates this relation via a locative preposition, whereas English does so by a comitative one ("with").– NicoJan 31, 2020 at 13:33
The expression you're looking for is
bei jemandem Punkte sammeln
orPunkte bei jemandem sammeln
which is similar to
bei jemandem punkten
This is translated as
to score points with someone
So he tried to get on the good side of left activists.
answered Jan 31, 2020 at 5:37
If the answer to the question "Wo?" is a person or a group than you use "bei".[1] Simply learn this as a rule.
e.g. Ich sitze bei meinem Vater. Peter ist bei seinen Eltern. Wir befinden uns bei der Oma.
to be at/with somebody or, as in the question, to gain something at (in English it would be "from") somebody.
Not the most scientifical explanation, but it will do for practical purposes.
[1] This means: static Verb + persons ---> bei. (Dynamic, moving Verbs need "zu" for persons and answer the question "Wohin?") Exception: Ich bin zuhause. Ich gehe nach Hause.
