berat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1General - common in formal, informal, spoken, and written contexts.
Quick answer
What does “berat” mean?
To carry the weight of something physically or metaphorically.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To carry the weight of something physically or metaphorically; to endure or tolerate a difficult situation or responsibility.
To support or hold up; to give birth to; to produce fruit or flowers; to behave in a specified way; to carry financial or legal responsibility; to have a certain characteristic or name.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight preference in British English for 'bear' in more formal contexts of tolerance ('I can't bear it'). US English may more readily use 'stand' or 'handle' in casual speech. Spelling in past participle 'borne' is consistent, but the birth-related form 'born' is universal.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'bear' often conveys a sense of stoicism, heavy responsibility, or reluctant endurance. The phrase 'bear with me' (wait patiently) is equally common.
Frequency
Comparatively frequent in both varieties with similar core meanings. The financial sense ('bear market') is international business jargon.
Grammar
How to Use “berat” in a Sentence
bear + NP (bear responsibility)bear + to-infinitive (hard to bear to see)bear + V-ing (can't bear waiting)bear + NP + NP (bore him a son)bear + with + NP (bear with me)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “berat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The wall cannot bear the weight.
- I can't bear this weather any longer.
- Bear left at the roundabout.
- The investment finally bore fruit.
American English
- The beam has to bear a heavy load.
- I can't bear his constant complaining.
- Bear right after the traffic light.
- Her efforts bore no results.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to accepting financial burdens ('bear the cost'), or a declining market ('bear market').
Academic
Used in formal writing for 'carry out' ('bear analysis'), 'support an argument', or 'endure'.
Everyday
Common for expressing tolerance ('I can't bear noise'), giving directions ('bear left'), or responsibility ('bear the blame').
Technical
In engineering: to support structural load ('load-bearing wall'). In finance: an investor expecting falling prices ('bear position').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “berat”
- Using 'born' as the past participle for all meanings (incorrect: 'He has born the pain'; correct: 'borne').
- Confusing 'bear' with 'bare' (to uncover).
- Overusing 'bear' where simpler verbs like 'carry', 'have', or 'take' are more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Use 'borne' as the past participle for all meanings except the passive of giving birth when not followed by 'by' (e.g., 'He was born in London.' but 'She has borne three children.').
'Bear' and 'stand' are often interchangeable for endurance, with 'bear' being slightly more formal/literary. 'Tolerate' is more clinical and implies permitting something undesirable.
It's an instruction meaning 'turn slightly to the left' or 'keep going towards the left', often used for roads or paths where a sharp turn isn't required.
It spans registers. It's formal in 'bear witness' or 'bear responsibility', but perfectly informal in 'I can't bear this song'.
To carry the weight of something physically or metaphorically.
Berat: in British English it is pronounced /beə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ber/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “grin and bear it”
- “bear the brunt of”
- “bring to bear”
- “bear fruit”
- “like a bear with a sore head”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a large BEAR carrying a heavy weight on its back, having to BEAR it. The animal 'bear' helps you remember the verb 'bear' meaning to carry or endure.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A BURDEN / PROBLEMS ARE WEIGHTS (We bear burdens, bear a cross, bear the weight of the world).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'bear' used correctly?