to instruct / to depend on
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to instruct
To give someone a formal order or command to do something specific.
Der Vorgesetzte wies die Mitarbeiter an, das neue Sicherheitsprotokoll sofort umzusetzen.
The supervisor instructed the employees to implement the new safety protocol immediately.
to depend on
To be dependent on someone or something; to absolutely need something or someone.
Ohne Auto ist man in dieser ländlichen Gegend auf öffentliche Verkehrsmittel angewiesen.
Without a car, you depend on public transportation in this rural area.
to authorize payment
To order a sum of money to be transferred to an account.
Bitte weisen Sie die Miete bis zum dritten Werktag des Monats an.
Please authorize payment of the rent by the third working day of the month.
to instruct
To show or explain to someone how a specific activity is carried out; to guide someone.
Der erfahrene Kollege hat den neuen Auszubildenden geduldig angewiesen.
The experienced colleague patiently instructed the new trainee.
'Anweisen' (to instruct) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'an-' goes at the end of the sentence. The past participle is 'angewiesen'.
Der Polizist wies die Autofahrer an, eine andere Straße zu benutzen.
The police officer instructed the drivers to use another road.
The construction 'auf jemanden/etwas angewiesen sein' (to depend on someone/something) is a very common and important expression. It always uses the preposition 'auf' with the accusative.
Als Student war ich auf die finanzielle Hilfe meiner Eltern angewiesen.
As a student, I depended on financial help from my parents.
When a person is instructed to carry out a specific action, this is often expressed with a 'zu' + infinitive construction. The structure is: 'jemanden anweisen, etwas zu tun' (to instruct someone to do something).
Die Ärztin wies mich an, die Tabletten dreimal täglich zu nehmen.
The doctor instructed me to take the tablets three times a day.
In a financial context, 'anweisen' (to authorize payment) always means to order a bank transfer. The object is usually a sum of money.
Ich habe meine Bank angewiesen, die Rechnung zu bezahlen.
I instructed my bank to pay the invoice.
to order / arrange
Both words refer to a binding instruction. Anweisen is usually directed at a specific person and states what they should do. Anordnen sounds more like a formal measure, regulation, or official decision. Use anweisen for a direct work instruction and anordnen for an official rule.
Die Teamleiterin wies den neuen Mitarbeiter an, den Bericht bis Freitag fertigzustellen.
The team leader instructed the new employee to finish the report by Friday.
Die Geschäftsleitung ordnete an, dass alle Berichte bis Freitag fertig sein müssen.
Management ordered that all reports must be completed by Friday.
