to come up with
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to come up with
To invent, develop, or devise something by thinking. This can refer to creative ideas, plans, stories, or even excuses.
Für den Kindergeburtstag müssen wir uns noch ein paar lustige Spiele ausdenken.
For the children's birthday party, we still have to come up with a few fun games.
'Ausdenken' (to come up with) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' goes to the end in main clauses, but stays connected to the verb in subordinate clauses. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' stands between the prefix and the verb.
Ich denke mir schnell eine Ausrede aus.
I'll quickly come up with an excuse.
This verb is almost always used reflexively with a dative pronoun and an accusative object. The structure is: person (nominative) + denkt sich (dative pronoun) + something (accusative) + aus.
Du denkst dir immer die besten Geschenke aus.
You always come up with the best gifts.
You can come up with both creative and positive things as well as negative things. Typical nouns are 'eine Geschichte' (a story), 'ein Plan' (a plan), 'ein Spiel' (a game), but also 'eine Ausrede' (an excuse) or 'eine Lüge' (a lie).
Die Kinder haben sich eine ganze Fantasiewelt ausgedacht.
The children came up with an entire fantasy world.
to develop
'entwickeln' and 'sich etwas ausdenken' can both mean that a new idea comes into being. 'entwickeln' sounds more planned and often longer-term: you work out an idea, a product, or a solution step by step. 'sich etwas ausdenken' puts more emphasis on thinking and inventing something in your head. It fits well with stories, plans, ideas, or even excuses. When an initial idea later becomes something precise and usable, you are more likely to say 'entwickeln'. When someone comes up with an idea spontaneously or creatively, 'sich ausdenken' fits better.
Für den Geburtstag hat sich Tom eine lustige Überraschung ausgedacht.
Tom has come up with a funny surprise for the birthday.
Vor dem Termin entwickelt Lisa ein neues Konzept für die Präsentation.
Before the appointment, Lisa develops a new concept for the presentation.