to concern / affect
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to concern / affect
To relate to someone or something; to be important or relevant for someone or something.
Die neue Regelung betrifft alle Studierenden ab dem nächsten Semester.
The new regulation affects all students starting next semester.
'Betreffen' (to concern/affect) is an inseparable verb that comes from the verb 'treffen' (to hit/meet). The basic idea is that something 'hits' someone or something—either in the sense of relevance or in the sense of an emotional effect.
Diese Kritik trifft mich nicht, denn sie ist unfair.
This criticism doesn't affect me because it is unfair.
A very common and useful construction is 'Was ... betrifft, ...' (As far as ... is concerned, ...). It is used to name a topic at the beginning of a sentence. After the comma comes a main clause with the verb in first position.
Was meine Pläne für den Sommer betrifft, habe ich noch keine Entscheidung getroffen.
As far as my plans for the summer are concerned, I haven't made a decision yet.
You can distinguish the meanings 'relevant sein' (to be relevant) and 'emotional berühren' (to touch emotionally) by looking at the subject. If the subject is a rule, law, or topic, it is about relevance. If the subject is an event, story, or fate, it is usually about feelings.
Die Änderung der Öffnungszeiten betrifft alle Mitarbeiter.
The change in opening hours affects all employees.
The meaning 'jemanden ertappen' (to catch someone) is outdated and is hardly used actively today. You almost only find it in the past participle in the fixed expression 'auf frischer Tat betroffen werden' (to be caught in the act).
Der Einbrecher wurde auf frischer Tat betroffen und festgenommen.
The burglar was caught in the act and arrested.
to have
'haben' in the expression 'mit etwas zu tun haben' (to have to do with something) and 'betreffen' can both express that there is a relationship to a person or thing. 'Mit etwas zu tun haben' sounds more general: it can be about a connection, a topic, or an activity. 'betreffen' is more direct and says that something is relevant to someone or something, or has an effect on them. Learners confuse the words because both express closeness or reference. A simple difference is: 'Das hat mit dem Problem zu tun' (That has to do with the problem) describes the connection; 'Das betrifft mich' (That concerns / affects me) says that it is important for me.
Die neue Regel betrifft alle, die einen Antrag stellen möchten.
The new rule affects everyone who wants to submit an application.
Die Frage hat mit unserem Projekt zu tun.
The question has to do with our project.