to resolve / clean up / adjust
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to resolve
To clarify and put right an unclear, conflict-ridden, or problematic situation. It means clearing up misunderstandings or settling disputes.
Die beiden Parteien trafen sich, um ihre Differenzen zu bereinigen.
The two parties met to resolve their differences.
'Bereinigen' is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' always stays attached to the stem 'reinigen' (to clean). It often gives the verb a more abstract meaning of clarifying or putting something in order.
Wir müssen die Missverständnisse schnellstmöglich bereinigen.
We need to resolve the misunderstandings as quickly as possible.
When you want to state which elements are removed, use the preposition 'um' followed by the accusative. The structure is: something (acc.) + 'um' + something (acc.) + 'bereinigen'.
Bitte bereinige die Liste um die veralteten Kontakte.
Please clean up the list by removing the outdated contacts.
In this meaning, 'bereinigen' (to resolve) is often used with nouns that describe social or business problems. Typical examples are: 'einen Konflikt bereinigen' (to resolve a conflict), 'Differenzen bereinigen' (to resolve differences), or 'eine Situation bereinigen' (to resolve a situation).
Ein Mediator half den Geschäftspartnern, ihren Streit zu bereinigen.
A mediator helped the business partners resolve their dispute.
This meaning refers to correcting digital or written information. It is often used in connection with 'eine Liste bereinigen' (to clean up a list), 'Daten bereinigen' (to clean data), or 'ein Dokument bereinigen' (to clean up a document).
Bevor wir die Briefe verschicken, muss jemand die Adressdatenbank bereinigen.
Before we send the letters, someone needs to clean up the address database.
This meaning is typical of business and financial language. It is used to make statistical data comparable. For example, people speak of 'bereinigter Gewinn' (adjusted profit) or 'saisonbereinigte Zahlen' (seasonally adjusted figures).
Der um Währungseffekte bereinigte Umsatz ist im letzten Quartal gestiegen.
Revenue adjusted for currency effects increased in the last quarter.
to solve / loosen
'lösen' and 'bereinigen' can both have to do with a problem. You use 'lösen' when you find the right answer or a way out of a problem. This works well for tasks, puzzles, and many general problems. 'bereinigen' sounds more like putting a difficult or unclear situation back in order, for example after an argument or misunderstandings. It is somewhat more formal than 'lösen'. The words can be confused because both can bring a problem to an end. Often, the more natural choice is: 'ein Problem lösen' (to solve a problem), but 'einen Streit bereinigen' (to resolve a dispute) or 'eine unklare Lage bereinigen' (to clear up an unclear situation).
Nach dem Streit möchte die Familie die Situation bereinigen.
After the argument, the family wants to resolve the situation.
Sie löst das Problem, weil sie die Ursache sofort erkennt.
She solves the problem because she recognizes the cause right away.