to discuss / review
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discuss
To talk about a topic or problem with one or more people in order to clarify it or make a decision.
Wir müssen die Details des Projekts morgen im Team besprechen.
We need to discuss the details of the project with the team tomorrow.
review
To write or publish a critique or review of a cultural work such as a book, film, or play.
Der neue Roman wurde in allen großen Zeitungen positiv besprochen.
The new novel was reviewed positively in all the major newspapers.
record a message
To speak a message or audio recording onto a recording medium, such as an answering machine.
Sie können den Anrufbeantworter nach dem Piepton besprechen.
You can record a message on the answering machine after the beep.
charm away
In folk medicine, to try to heal an illness, such as warts, by speaking formulas or prayers.
Meine Großmutter ließ ihre Gürtelrose von einer alten Frau besprechen.
My grandmother had her shingles charmed away by an old woman.
'Besprechen' is an inseparable verb because it has the prefix 'be-'. The prefix remains directly attached to the verb 'sprechen' (to speak) in all tenses and sentence types.
Sie hat das Thema mit ihrer Chefin besprochen.
She discussed the topic with her boss.
A typical mistake is using a preposition like 'über' (about). The verb 'besprechen' (to discuss), however, does not need a preposition and is used directly with an accusative object.
Wir besprechen den Plan morgen.
We will discuss the plan tomorrow.
The meaning is usually clear: If it is about a topic or problem, it means 'to discuss'. If the object is a book or film, it means 'to review'. If an answering machine is mentioned, it means 'to record a message'.
Lass uns das nach der Mittagspause besprechen.
Let's discuss that after the lunch break.
In the meaning 'to discuss', 'besprechen' is often combined with words such as 'ein Thema' (a topic), 'einen Plan' (a plan), 'die Details' (the details), or 'die nächsten Schritte' (the next steps).
Die Manager besprachen die neue Strategie für das kommende Jahr.
The managers discussed the new strategy for the coming year.
In the context of reviews, 'besprechen' is very often used in the passive to describe how a work was received by critics.
Das Buch wird gerade in allen wichtigen Feuilletons besprochen.
The book is currently being reviewed in all the major arts sections.
to talk
Mit reden über makes a topic generally the subject of a conversation. Besprechen takes the matter directly as its object and often suggests a goal, such as clarifying something or making a decision. Besprechen is therefore often more suitable for a focused, goal-oriented conversation.
Im Team besprachen wir den Termin für das nächste Treffen und trafen eine Entscheidung.
We discussed the date of the next meeting as a team and made a decision.
Im Team redeten wir über den Termin für das nächste Treffen.
We talked about the date of the next meeting as a team.
