01
beachten
to note
To take note of something and take it into account; to direct one's attention to something.
example
Bitte beachten Sie die geänderten Öffnungszeiten.
Please note the changed opening hours.
beachten
to note / observe
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable and transitive
'Beachten' (to note / observe) is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'be-'. It is always transitive, meaning it needs a direct object in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrer hat das Stoppschild nicht beachtet.
The driver did not observe the stop sign.
Formal usage
This verb is often used in formal contexts such as instructions, official notices, or on signs. The request 'Bitte beachten Sie, dass ...' (Please note that ...) is very common.
EXAMPLE
Bitte beachten Sie, dass das Museum montags geschlossen ist.
Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays.
Typical collocations
When it comes to complying with rules, 'beachten' (to observe) is often combined with these nouns: die Regeln beachten (to observe the rules), die Vorschriften beachten (to observe the regulations), das Gesetz beachten (to observe the law), die Anweisungen beachten (to follow the instructions).
EXAMPLE
Im Straßenverkehr muss man viele Regeln beachten.
In road traffic, you have to observe many rules.
Often in the passive
In the meaning 'to notice someone', the verb is often used in the passive and with a negation to express that someone is being ignored.
EXAMPLE
Seine Ideen wurden von den Kollegen kaum beachtet.
His ideas were hardly noticed by his colleagues.
Compare with
beachten vs verletzen
to injure / hurt / violate
'verletzen' and 'beachten' are opposites in the context of rules or regulations. If you 'eine Regel verletzen' (violate a rule), you do not follow it. If you 'eine Regel beachten' (observe a rule), you take it seriously and act accordingly. So 'beachten' fits when someone pays attention to a regulation. 'verletzen' fits when someone acts against it. The contrast is especially clear with rules, laws, rights, and duties.
beachten
Bitte beachten Sie die Hinweise an der Tür.
Please observe the notices on the door.
verletzen
Wer die Daten ohne Erlaubnis weitergibt, verletzt die Regeln.
Anyone who passes on the data without permission violates the rules.
In real life
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