to make do
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to make do with
To be satisfied with something, even though one might have wished for more or more might have been possible; to give up further demands.
Für den Anfang müssen wir uns mit einem kleinen Büro begnügen.
For a start, we'll have to make do with a small office.
This verb is reflexive and is almost always used with the preposition 'mit' (with) and the dative. The structure is: Jemand begnügt sich mit etwas. (Someone makes do with something.)
Er begnügt sich mit einem einfachen Abendessen.
He makes do with a simple dinner.
The word 'begnügen' (to make do) contains the word 'genug' (enough). It expresses that you perceive something as sufficient or enough and are therefore satisfied with it, even if more would be possible.
Da es keinen Kuchen mehr gab, begnügte er sich mit einem Keks.
Since there was no cake left, he made do with a cookie.
'Sich begnügen' (to make do) is often expanded with 'damit' and an infinitive construction with 'zu'. This expresses which action is perceived as sufficient.
Sie musste sich damit begnügen, das Rennen im Fernsehen zu sehen.
She had to make do with watching the race on television.
satisfied
Someone who is zufrieden evaluates something positively and does not want any change; nothing has to be missing. Someone who sich mit etwas begnügt usually consciously accepts less than they originally wanted or than was basically possible.
Da kein größeres Zimmer frei ist, begnüge ich mich mit dem kleinen Zimmer.
Since no larger room is available, I am making do with the small room.
Mit dem kleinen Zimmer bin ich zufrieden, weil es alles Nötige bietet.
I am satisfied with the small room because it has everything I need.
