to settle / colonize
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to settle / colonize
To settle in a previously uninhabited or foreign area and establish a settlement there.
Europäische Auswanderer besiedelten im 19. Jahrhundert weite Teile Nordamerikas.
European emigrants settled large parts of North America in the 19th century.
to colonize
In biology: when animals, plants, or microorganisms populate a new habitat and spread there.
Nach dem Vulkanausbruch besiedelten langsam wieder erste Pionierpflanzen die karge Landschaft.
After the volcanic eruption, the first pioneer plants slowly colonized the barren landscape again.
The verb 'besiedeln' (to settle/colonize) is inseparable. The prefix 'be-' always stays firmly attached to the verb and makes the verb require an accusative object: Wen oder was besiedeln? (Settle/colonize whom or what?)
Die Römer besiedelten große Teile Europas.
The Romans settled large parts of Europe.
You can tell whether people or other living beings are meant from the subject of the sentence. If it is about humans ('Siedler' (settlers), 'ein Volk' (a people)), the historical meaning is meant. With animals, plants, or bacteria, the biological meaning is meant.
Die ersten Siedler besiedelten das fruchtbare Tal.
The first settlers settled the fertile valley.
In a historical context, 'besiedeln' (to settle/colonize) is often used with geographical places as the object. Typical combinations are 'ein Gebiet besiedeln' (to settle an area), 'eine Region besiedeln' (to settle a region), or 'einen Kontinent besiedeln' (to settle a continent).
Die Polynesier besiedelten die entlegensten Inseln des Pazifiks.
The Polynesians settled the most remote islands of the Pacific.
In biology and medicine, the verb is used to describe the spread of organisms. For example, people say that bacteria 'eine Wunde besiedeln' (colonize a wound) or useful microbes 'den Darm besiedeln' (colonize the intestine).
Bestimmte Algenarten besiedeln selbst die unwirtlichsten Felsen.
Certain types of algae colonize even the most inhospitable rocks.
to settle / establish
Ansiedeln and besiedeln describe people becoming settled in an area that was previously foreign to them. Ansiedeln focuses more on the people who deliberately settle there, while besiedeln presents the area as becoming inhabited. If you want to emphasize the people’s process of settling, use ansiedeln; if you want to emphasize the result in the area, use besiedeln.
Nach einigen Jahren besiedelte die Familie das zuvor unbewohnte Gebiet.
After a few years, the family had settled the previously uninhabited area.
Nach ihrer Flucht siedelte sich die Familie in dem neuen Gebiet an.
After fleeing, the family settled in the new area.
