01
berichtigen
to correct
To correct an error, a false statement, or inaccurate information.
example
Der Lehrer berichtigte die Fehler im Aufsatz des Schülers.
The teacher corrected the mistakes in the student's essay.
berichtigen
to correct / settle
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Berichtigen' belongs to the word family of 'richtig' (correct/right). The prefix 'be-' turns it into a transitive verb meaning 'to make something correct.' So the verb always requires an accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Könnten Sie bitte meinen Namen in der Liste berichtigen?
Could you please correct my name in the list?
Context clue
The object of the verb indicates the meaning. If you 'berichtigen' (correct) 'einen Fehler' (an error), 'eine Angabe' (a piece of information), or 'eine Aussage' (a statement), it means 'to correct.' If you 'berichtigen' (settle) 'eine Rechnung' (a bill) or 'einen Betrag' (an amount), it means 'to pay.'
EXAMPLE
Der Journalist musste eine falsche Information in seinem Artikel berichtigen.
The journalist had to correct a false piece of information in his article.
Typical objects
In the meaning of 'korrigieren' (to correct), the objects are often things that can contain errors. Typical examples are: 'einen Fehler berichtigen' (to correct an error), 'einen Druckfehler berichtigen' (to correct a printing error), 'eine falsche Angabe berichtigen' (to correct incorrect information).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den Tippfehler in meiner E-Mail sofort berichtigt.
I corrected the typo in my email immediately.
Register
The meaning 'bezahlen' (to pay) is very formal and is used mainly in business or official language. In everyday language, other verbs would be used for paying.
EXAMPLE
Die Gebühr muss bis zum Ende des Monats berichtigt werden.
The fee must be settled by the end of the month.
Compare with
berichtigen vs bezahlen
to pay
'bezahlen' and 'berichtigen' can both be used when an outstanding bill or debt is taken care of. 'bezahlen' is the normal everyday word for this. 'berichtigen' in this meaning is formal and is more suited to bills, claims, or business correspondence. Learners may confuse the words because 'berichtigen' usually means 'to correct an error'. When you are simply talking about money in everyday life, 'bezahlen' is almost always more natural. 'Eine Rechnung berichtigen' (to settle a bill) sounds more like office, contract, or payment-reminder language.
berichtigen
Die Firma berichtigt die offene Forderung noch vor dem Monatsende.
The company will settle the outstanding claim before the end of the month.
bezahlen
Morgen bezahlt der Mitarbeiter die Rechnung für die neue Kaffeemaschine.
Tomorrow the employee will pay the bill for the new coffee machine.
In real life
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