to perform at / to supply content / to record
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to perform at
To regularly give performances or concerts at a particular place, such as a stage or theater.
Das neue Ensemble bespielt das Stadttheater in dieser Saison mit drei modernen Stücken.
The new ensemble is performing at the city theater this season with three modern plays.
'Bespielen' is an inseparable verb because it begins with 'be-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb in all tenses and sentence types. The past participle is 'bespielt'.
Die Band hat gestern Abend die große Konzerthalle bespielt.
The band performed at the large concert hall yesterday evening.
The prefix 'be-' turns 'spielen' (to play) into an action that directly affects an object. You are not just playing; you are supplying something with a performance or content: a stage with a play, a channel with content, or a cassette with music.
Die Agentur bespielt den Instagram-Account des Kunden mit täglichen Posts.
The agency supplies the client's Instagram account with daily posts.
The exact meaning of 'bespielen' can be recognized from the object of the sentence. A 'Theater' (theater) points to a performance, a 'Social-Media-Kanal' (social media channel) to marketing, and a 'Festplatte' (hard drive) to storing data.
Dieses Theater wird von einer sehr bekannten Gruppe bespielt.
This theater is performed at by a very well-known group.
The meaning 'mit Inhalten versorgen' (to supply with content) is typical of modern marketing and media language. People talk about supplying channels, platforms, or target groups with content.
Welche Zielgruppen wollen wir mit unserer neuen Kampagne bespielen?
Which target groups do we want to supply with content through our new campaign?
to play
'spielen' and 'bespielen' both have to do with play, music, or performances. 'spielen' describes the activity itself: you play soccer, an instrument, or a role. 'bespielen' shifts the focus to a place or area that is used for performances or for play. So you can 'bespielen' a stage, a theater, or an area on the playing field. The words can be confused because they look similar. But 'bespielen' usually needs an object such as 'die Bühne' (the stage) or 'das Feld' (the field).
Das kleine Theater bespielt im Sommer auch die Bühne im Park.
In the summer, the small theater also performs on the stage in the park.
Am Abend spielt die Theatergruppe ein neues Stück.
In the evening, the theater group performs a new play.