01
durchführen
to carry out
To organize and carry out a planned action, assignment, experiment, or event.
example
Wir werden die Umfrage nächste Woche online durchführen.
We will carry out the survey online next week.
durchführen
to carry out
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Durchführen' (to carry out / to guide through) is a separable verb. The prefix 'durch-' comes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma führt eine Mitarbeiterbefragung durch.
The company is carrying out an employee survey.
Register: Formal
The verb 'durchführen' (to carry out) is mainly used in formal, official, or scientific contexts. It often sounds bureaucratic or planned.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei wird morgen Verkehrskontrollen durchführen.
The police will carry out traffic checks tomorrow.
Typical collocations
'Durchführen' (to carry out) is often combined with nouns that describe a planned action. Common combinations are: 'eine Studie durchführen' (to carry out a study), 'ein Experiment durchführen' (to carry out an experiment), 'eine Reparatur durchführen' (to carry out a repair), or 'eine Veranstaltung durchführen' (to hold an event).
EXAMPLE
Die Wissenschaftler führen ein wichtiges Experiment durch.
The scientists are carrying out an important experiment.
Context clue
You can recognize the literal meaning 'jemanden durch einen Ort leiten' (to guide someone through a place) by the fact that there is a subject that leads and an object that is being led. The preposition 'durch' is often repeated in the sentence to describe the route.
EXAMPLE
Der Förster führte uns sicher durch den dichten Wald durch.
The forester guided us safely through the dense forest.
Compare with
durchführen vs führen
to lead
'führen' and 'durchführen' look similar and can both have to do with leading or guiding. Use 'führen' when someone brings a person to a place or leads a group, company, or department. Use 'durchführen' mostly when you actually carry out and organize a plan, an event, a test, or a task. In the meaning 'to guide through a place or process', they are closer to each other. There is a risk of confusion because 'durchführen' contains the word 'führen'. But a meeting is usually 'durchgeführt' (carried out), while a department is 'geführt' (led / managed).
durchführen
Am Freitag führt das Team einen Sicherheitstest im Büro durch.
On Friday, the team carries out a safety test in the office.
führen
Frau Becker führt die neue Mitarbeiterin durch das Gebäude.
Ms. Becker guides the new employee through the building.
In real life
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