to apply / to advertise
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to apply for
To officially seek something, especially a job, a university place, or a contract, by expressing one's qualifications and interest.
Sie hat sich auf die Stelle als Projektmanagerin beworben.
She applied for the position as project manager.
to advertise
To advertise a product, service, or event in order to make it known and promote sales.
Die Firma bewirbt ihr neues Smartphone mit einer großen Kampagne im Fernsehen.
The company is advertising its new smartphone with a large campaign on television.
to bid for
For an organization, city, or country to take part in a competition in order to receive something or be allowed to host it, e.g., the Olympic Games.
Mehrere Städte bewerben sich um die Austragung der Weltausstellung.
Several cities are bidding to host the World's Fair.
The verb 'bewerben' (to apply/advertise) is inseparable. The prefix 'be-' stays firmly attached to the verb stem 'werben' in all sentence forms and tenses.
Er bewirbt das neue Getränk sehr erfolgreich.
He is advertising the new drink very successfully.
The use with or without a reflexive pronoun ('sich') changes the meaning completely. 'Sich bewerben' means to apply for a position, while 'etwas bewerben' means to advertise a product.
Ich bewerbe mich um ein Praktikum in Berlin.
I am applying for an internship in Berlin.
When applying for a job, you use the prepositions 'auf' or 'um' with the accusative. 'Auf' is typically used for a specific advertised position; 'um' is more general.
Er hat sich auf die Anzeige in der Zeitung beworben.
He applied for the ad in the newspaper.
In the meaning of 'Werbung machen' (to advertise), 'bewerben' is used transitively. Typical objects are 'ein Produkt' (a product), 'eine Dienstleistung' (a service), or 'eine Veranstaltung' (an event).
Ein berühmter Sportler bewirbt die neue Kollektion.
A famous athlete is advertising the new collection.
When a city, an organization, or a country 'um etwas bewirbt' (bids for something), it is usually about being allowed to host a major event such as the Olympic Games or a World's Fair.
München hat sich um die Olympischen Winterspiele beworben.
Munich bid for the Olympic Winter Games.
to register / log in
For a course or academic program, sich anmelden means registering to take part. Sich bewerben, by contrast, means entering a selection process and not yet having been accepted. You register when there is no selection process; you apply when admission is decided through a selection process.
Für den Sommerkurs mit Auswahlverfahren bewerbe ich mich heute online.
I’m applying online today for the summer course with a selection process.
Für den offenen Sommerkurs melde ich mich heute online an.
I’m registering online for the open summer course today.
