to cause / prepare
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to cause
To cause or bring about a feeling, state, or situation. Often used in fixed combinations such as 'Freude bereiten' (to bring joy), 'Sorgen bereiten' (to cause worry), or 'Schwierigkeiten bereiten' (to cause difficulties).
Sein unerwarteter Besuch hat uns große Freude bereitet.
His unexpected visit brought us great joy.
The verb 'bereiten' (to cause / prepare) is closely related to the adjective 'bereit' (ready). So the basic meaning is to make something 'ready' or to bring it into a certain state.
Die Überraschungsparty hat ihm viel Freude bereitet.
The surprise party brought him a lot of joy.
When 'bereiten' (to cause) causes a feeling, the person who has the feeling is always in the dative. The feeling itself is the accusative object.
Deine ständigen Verspätungen bereiten mir Sorgen.
Your constant lateness is causing me worry.
This meaning is almost always used in fixed combinations. Typical ones are: 'Freude bereiten' (to bring joy), 'Sorgen bereiten' (to cause worry), 'Schwierigkeiten bereiten' (to cause difficulties), or 'Probleme bereiten' (to cause problems).
Die neue Software bereitet vielen Nutzern noch Probleme.
The new software is still causing many users problems.
In the meaning of 'eine Mahlzeit herstellen' (to prepare a meal), 'bereiten' is rather formal or literary. In everyday language, 'zubereiten' (to prepare) or 'kochen' (to cook) is usually used instead.
In diesem Restaurant werden alle Speisen frisch bereitet.
In this restaurant, all dishes are prepared fresh.
to do / make
'machen' and 'bereiten' can both mean that something is created or caused. 'machen' is very general and almost always possible in everyday language: you can make food, do work, make plans, or make someone happy. 'bereiten' is much more formal and often occurs in fixed expressions, for example 'Freude bereiten' (to bring joy), 'Sorgen bereiten' (to cause worry), or 'Schwierigkeiten bereiten' (to cause difficulties). With food, 'bereiten' is possible, but it sounds elevated; most of the time you say 'zubereiten' or simply 'machen'. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with making or causing something. In everyday language, 'machen' is usually more natural, while 'bereiten' fits better in formal or fixed expressions.
Die schlechten Nachrichten bereiten der Familie große Sorgen.
The bad news is causing the family great worry.
Für den Ausflug macht Paul am Abend noch ein paar Brote.
In the evening, Paul makes a few sandwiches for the trip.