coming to terms / restoration / processing
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coming to terms
An intensive engagement with a past, often stressful event or topic in order to understand and process it. This often happens in a psychological, historical, or political context.
Die historische Aufarbeitung der Diktatur ist für die Gesellschaft sehr wichtig.
Coming to terms with the history of the dictatorship is very important for society.
restoration
The renovation or restoration of used or old objects in order to make them usable or attractive again.
Die Aufarbeitung der alten Kommode hat sich gelohnt, sie sieht jetzt aus wie neu.
The restoration of the old chest of drawers was worth it; it now looks as good as new.
processing
The processing of raw materials or waste into new products or reusable materials in an industrial process.
Die Anlage dient der Aufarbeitung von industriellen Abwässern.
The facility is used for the processing of industrial wastewater.
The noun 'Aufarbeitung' comes from the separable verb 'aufarbeiten' (to work through/process/restore). The verb combines 'arbeiten' (to work) with the prefix 'auf', which here suggests a completing or renewing action. This basic idea is found in all meanings.
Er muss die Ereignisse der letzten Woche erst einmal aufarbeiten.
He first has to process the events of last week.
The context shows which meaning is intended. If it is about abstract topics like 'Geschichte' (history), 'Vergangenheit' (past), or 'Trauma' (trauma), it means coming to terms with or working through something. With objects like 'Möbel' (furniture) or 'Autos' (cars), it refers to restoration. In connection with 'Rohstoffen' (raw materials) or 'Abfall' (waste), it means industrial processing.
Die psychologische Aufarbeitung des Unfalls dauert lange.
The psychological processing of the accident takes a long time.
The noun 'Aufarbeitung' is often used with a genitive object or a prepositional phrase with 'von' in order to specify what is being processed, restored, or worked through.
Die Aufarbeitung der Firmengeschichte ist noch nicht abgeschlossen.
Coming to terms with the company's history has not yet been completed.
In this meaning, 'Aufarbeitung' is often combined with adjectives such as 'historisch' (historical), 'politisch' (political), or 'juristisch' (legal) to describe the focus of the engagement.
Die politische Aufarbeitung der Finanzkrise ist bis heute ein Thema.
The political coming to terms with the financial crisis remains an issue to this day.
processing / workmanship
Verarbeitung and Aufarbeitung can both describe dealing with a distressing experience. Verarbeitung emphasizes internally making sense of and understanding what happened, while Aufarbeitung emphasizes consciously and intensively confronting it. Verarbeitung is suitable for the internal process, while Aufarbeitung is suitable for a deliberate, focused examination.
In der Therapie beginnt sie nun die intensive Aufarbeitung des Unfalls.
In therapy, she is now beginning the intensive process of coming to terms with the accident.
Die Verarbeitung des Unfalls braucht für sie noch viel Zeit.
It will still take her a long time to process the accident.
