to pursue / walk
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to pursue
To choose and follow a particular path, method, or course in a figurative sense. This often refers to abstract concepts such as a career or an approach.
Das Unternehmen muss neue Wege beschreiten, um wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben.
The company must pursue new paths in order to remain competitive.
'Beschreiten' (to pursue/walk) is an inseparable verb. It is based on the verb 'schreiten' (to walk solemnly), but the prefix 'be-' turns it into a transitive verb that always requires an accusative object.
Er hat in seiner Karriere viele verschiedene Wege beschritten.
He has pursued many different paths in his career.
This verb belongs to elevated written language. In normal everyday speech, you would be more likely to say 'gehen' (to go) or 'wählen' (to choose). 'Beschreiten' (to pursue/walk) sounds more formal and deliberate.
Die Regierung will einen neuen Kurs in der Umweltpolitik beschreiten.
The government wants to pursue a new course in environmental policy.
In its most common figurative meaning, 'beschreiten' (to pursue) is combined with abstract nouns. Typical phrases are 'neue Wege beschreiten' (to pursue new paths), 'den Rechtsweg beschreiten' (to take legal action), or 'einen Mittelweg beschreiten' (to take a middle path).
Wenn wir uns nicht einigen, müssen wir den Rechtsweg beschreiten.
If we cannot reach an agreement, we will have to take legal action.
The literal meaning 'gehen auf' (to walk on) is rare and very formal. You can recognize it by the fact that the object is a physical place or surface, such as 'die Bühne' (the stage), 'den Saal' (the hall), or 'den Teppich' (the carpet).
Die Absolventen beschritten nacheinander die Bühne, um ihre Zeugnisse zu erhalten.
The graduates walked onto the stage one after another to receive their certificates.
to go
'gehen' and 'beschreiten' can both have to do with a path. 'gehen' is the normal everyday word for moving on foot or for moving toward a destination. 'beschreiten' is much more elevated in style. For actual walking on a path, it often sounds old-fashioned today. More often, 'beschreiten' is used figuratively, for example when a person or company chooses a new path, method, or direction. Learners may confuse the words because 'beschreiten' seems like a more precise form of 'gehen'. In everyday language, however, 'gehen' is almost always the right choice; 'beschreiten' is more suitable for formal or figurative statements.
Nach der Krise beschreitet die Firma einen neuen Weg.
After the crisis, the company is pursuing a new path.
Am Morgen ging Paul zu Fuß zum Bahnhof.
In the morning, Paul walked to the train station.