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
berichtigen
to settle
In a formal or business context, to pay an outstanding bill or debt.
EXAMPLE
Bitte berichtigen Sie den ausstehenden Betrag innerhalb von 14 Tagen.
Please settle the outstanding amount within 14 days.
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 is the neutral and generally used word for an outstanding bill. Berichtigen can also refer to settling a debt in formal or business contexts, but it is noticeably marked in this use. In everyday situations, people therefore usually say bezahlen; in certain formal texts, berichtigen is also used.
berichtigen
Der Geschäftskunde wird die offene Rechnung bis Freitag berichtigen.
The business customer will settle the outstanding bill by Friday.
bezahlen
Der Kunde muss die offene Rechnung bis Freitag bezahlen.
The customer has to pay the outstanding bill by Friday.
In real life
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