hiermit

Hereby (Hiermit)

Level 5

Hiermit is a combination of hier (here) + mit (with). It is used to refer to something physically present or to the very act of speaking/writing itself.

How It Works

1. Physical Reference
When you are holding an object or it is right in front of you, hiermit replaces the phrase 'mit diesem Ding' (with this thing). While damit refers to something previously mentioned or further away, hiermit emphasizes the 'here and now.'

2. Formal and Legal Usage
In legal or administrative German, hiermit is the standard way to say 'hereby.' It signals that the document or sentence itself is the instrument of the action. For example, 'Hiermit kündige ich...' means the act of resigning is completed by the delivery of that specific sentence.

3. Cataphoric and Business Usage
Hiermit is frequently used to point forward to information that follows (cataphoric function), often appearing before a colon: 'Hiermit wird bekannt gegeben: ...'. In formal letters, it is also the standard way to refer to enclosures or attachments sent along with the letter ('Hiermit erhalten Sie...').

4. Grammar and Structure

  • Inanimate only: Like all da-compounds (and their 'hier-' variants), it cannot refer to people.
  • Word Order: It often appears in the first position for emphasis, triggering verb-second word order.
  • Adverb vs. Conjunction: Unlike 'damit', hiermit cannot be used to introduce a subordinate clause meaning 'so that'. It is strictly an adverb.
  • Register and Frequency: In everyday spoken German, hiermit is significantly less frequent than 'damit'. Use 'damit' as your default for 'with it/that' unless you need the specific formal emphasis of 'hereby' or are physically touching the object.

Examples (6)

  1. Was soll ich hiermit machen?

    What should I do with this?

    Word by Word: What shall I with-this do?

    Used when the speaker is holding a physical object and asking for instructions.

  2. Hiermit kündige ich meinen Vertrag.

    I hereby terminate my contract.

    Word by Word: With-this terminate I my contract.

    A classic formal opening for a resignation or cancellation letter.

  3. Hiermit wird bescheinigt, dass er den Kurs bestanden hat.

    It is hereby certified that he passed the course.

    Word by Word: With-this becomes certified, that he the course passed has.

    Commonly found on official certificates and diplomas.

  4. Kommst du hiermit zurecht?

    Can you manage with this?

    Word by Word: Come you with-this right?

    Asking if someone knows how to use a tool or object currently in their possession.

  5. Hiermit teilen wir Ihnen Folgendes mit: Die Sitzung wird verschoben.

    We hereby inform you of the following: The meeting is being postponed.

    Word by Word: With-this share we to-you following with: The meeting becomes postponed.

    This demonstrates the cataphoric use, where 'hiermit' points forward to the information following the colon.

  6. Hiermit übersenden wir Ihnen die gewünschten Unterlagen.

    We are sending you the requested documents herewith.

    Word by Word: With-this send we to-you the requested documents.

    Standard business correspondence usage to indicate that documents are enclosed or attached.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'hiermit' to refer to a person.

    Ich arbeite hiermit.
    Ich arbeite mit ihr.

    Pronominal adverbs like 'hiermit' can only refer to objects or concepts. To say 'with her,' you must use the preposition 'mit' plus a personal pronoun.

  • Using 'hiermit' for things mentioned in the past.

    Ich habe ein Buch gelesen. Hiermit habe ich viel gelernt.
    Ich habe ein Buch gelesen. Damit habe ich viel gelernt.

    Use 'damit' to refer back to something previously mentioned. 'Hiermit' is for things physically present, or for the act of writing itself, such as a notice or an enclosure in a letter.

  • Using 'hiermit' as a conjunction to express purpose.

    Ich lerne viel, hiermit ich die Prüfung bestehe.
    Ich lerne viel, damit ich die Prüfung bestehe.

    Unlike 'damit', which can function as a subordinating conjunction meaning 'so that', 'hiermit' is strictly an adverb. It cannot introduce a purpose clause.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

hiermitLevel 5Hereby (Hiermit)

Learn This First

To understand 'hiermit', a learner needs to be familiar with the concept of pronominal adverbs (da-compounds), where a preposition is combined with a locative prefix. Additionally, since 'hiermit' is frequently used in formal writing to start a sentence, knowledge of German verb-second (V2) word order and inversion is necessary.

Words in This Pattern

hiermit