01
bewältigen
to overcome
To successfully master or overcome a difficult task, problem, or challenge.
example
Sie musste in ihrem neuen Job viele Schwierigkeiten bewältigen.
She had to overcome many difficulties in her new job.
bewältigen
to overcome
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Meanings
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Bewältigen' (to overcome) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' always stays at the beginning of the verb, even in main clauses and in the past participle ('bewältigt').
EXAMPLE
Er hat die schwierige Prüfung erfolgreich bewältigt.
He successfully overcame the difficult exam.
Sentence structure with accusative
'Bewältigen' (to overcome) always needs an accusative object. This object is the challenge or problem that one masters. You ask: Whom or what does someone overcome?
EXAMPLE
Die Feuerwehrleute bewältigten den gefährlichen Einsatz.
The firefighters overcame the dangerous operation.
Typical collocations
You always 'bewältigt' (overcome/manage) something big, difficult, or negative. Typical objects are 'eine Aufgabe' (a task), 'eine Krise' (a crisis), 'ein Problem' (a problem), 'die Vergangenheit' (the past), or a large amount of something, e.g. 'die Arbeit' (the work).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Flut mussten die Bewohner viele Probleme bewältigen.
After the flood, the residents had to overcome many problems.
Compare with
bewältigen vs schaffen
to manage / create
'schaffen' and 'bewältigen' can both express that you successfully complete a difficult task or deal with a problem. 'schaffen' is very common in everyday language and fits with exams, appointments or deadlines, work, or sports. 'bewältigen' sounds a bit more precise when you want to emphasize that something was truly difficult and that you handled it well. In many sentences you can use both, but 'Ich schaffe das' (I can manage it) sounds more natural in everyday speech, while 'eine Krise bewältigen' (to overcome a crisis) often sounds more appropriate and more serious.
bewältigen
Sie bewältigt die neue Aufgabe, obwohl am Anfang vieles unklar ist.
She handles the new task, even though many things are unclear at first.
schaffen
Er schafft die Arbeit im Büro noch vor der Pause.
He manages to finish the office work before the break.
In real life
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