to recruit
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to recruit
To deliberately persuade someone to join an organization, a company, or the military; to recruit someone.
Das Unternehmen versucht aktiv, neue Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland anzuwerben.
The company is actively trying to recruit new skilled workers from abroad.
'Anwerben' (to recruit) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' is separated from the verb in a main clause and placed at the end.
Die Armee wirbt gezielt junge Leute an.
The army specifically recruits young people.
The word consists of the prefix 'an-' and the verb 'werben' (to advertise/campaign). While 'werben' generally means 'für etwas werben' (to advertise or campaign for something), 'anwerben' (to recruit) expresses a targeted attempt to approach a person directly and win them over for a cause.
Der Sportverein versucht, neue Mitglieder anzuwerben.
The sports club is trying to recruit new members.
In the general meaning of recruiting, 'anwerben' (to recruit) is often combined with these nouns: 'Mitarbeiter anwerben' (to recruit employees), 'Fachkräfte anwerben' (to recruit skilled workers), 'Mitglieder anwerben' (to recruit members), or 'Soldaten anwerben' (to recruit soldiers).
Große Kanzleien werben die besten Absolventen direkt von der Universität an.
Large law firms recruit the best graduates directly from the university.
The meaning 'to recruit as a spy' can be recognized from the context. When intelligence services, espionage, or informants are being discussed, this specific, often negative meaning is intended.
Der Agent hatte den Auftrag, einen hochrangigen Beamten anzuwerben.
The agent had the assignment of recruiting a high-ranking official.
to win / gain
'jemanden für etwas gewinnen' (to win someone over for something) and 'anwerben' can both mean getting a person to take part in something. 'gewinnen' is more general and can refer to ideas, projects, opinions, or cooperation. 'anwerben' is more specific: you are deliberately looking for people for an organization, a company, the military, or even secretly for an intelligence service. That is why 'anwerben' often sounds more planned and official, and sometimes also suspicious. The words can be confused when talking about new members or employees. For general agreement or support, 'gewinnen' fits; for targeted recruitment, 'anwerben' fits.
Das Unternehmen hat auf der Messe neue Fachkräfte angeworben.
The company recruited new skilled workers at the trade fair.
Sie hat ihren Kollegen für die freiwillige Arbeit im Verein gewonnen.
She won her colleague over for the volunteer work at the club.