How do you use "dabei" in a sentence?

Example: "Was hast du dir dabei gedacht?" (What were you thinking thereby?) Another example: "Schön, dass du da bist. Ist deine Familie auch dabei?"

dabei

B1 Adverb

English Translation

with it, present, thereby

„dabei" is a German adverb meaning "with it, present, thereby" in English. CEFR Level B1 — Goethe-Institut official vocabulary.

Was hast du dir dabei gedacht?

What were you thinking thereby?

Schön, dass du da bist. Ist deine Familie auch dabei?

Nice that you are here. Is your family also present (with you)?

Hast du einen Stift dabei?

Do you have a pen with you?

Intermediate — main points on familiar topics, travel, and interests.

This word is part of the official Goethe-Institut B1 vocabulary list.

Test your knowledge of dabei