to develop
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to develop
To create and work out something new, such as a product, idea, or software, gradually and according to a plan.
Ein Team von Ingenieuren entwickelt derzeit einen effizienteren Motor.
A team of engineers is currently developing a more efficient engine.
to develop
To change, grow, or progress over time, often into a more mature or complex state.
Aus der kleinen Raupe hat sich ein wunderschöner Schmetterling entwickelt.
The little caterpillar developed into a beautiful butterfly.
to produce
To generate or release something in a chemical or physical process, for example heat, gas, or smoke.
Das Feuer entwickelte eine enorme Hitze und dichten Rauch.
The fire produced enormous heat and thick smoke.
to develop
To treat analog photographic film with chemicals in order to make the image captured on it visible and permanent.
Er hat eine eigene Dunkelkammer, um seine Schwarz-Weiß-Fotos selbst zu entwickeln.
He has his own darkroom so he can develop his black-and-white photos himself.
'Entwickeln' (to develop) is an inseparable verb. It consists of the prefix 'ent-' and the stem 'wickeln' (to wrap). Literally, it means 'ent-wickeln' or 'un-wrap' and metaphorically describes how something unfolds or comes into being step by step.
Die Firma hat eine neue Methode zur Wasserreinigung entwickelt.
The company has developed a new method for water purification.
It is important to distinguish between 'etwas entwickeln' (to develop something, transitive) and 'sich entwickeln' (to develop, reflexive). 'Etwas entwickeln' means actively creating something, while 'sich entwickeln' describes a process of change or growth.
Die Ingenieure entwickeln ein neues Auto.
The engineers are developing a new car.
In the meaning 'erschaffen' (to create), 'entwickeln' (to develop) is often combined with abstract or technical concepts. Typical phrases are: 'eine Idee entwickeln' (to develop an idea), 'einen Plan entwickeln' (to develop a plan), 'Software entwickeln' (to develop software), or 'eine Strategie entwickeln' (to develop a strategy).
Gemeinsam haben wir eine Strategie für das nächste Jahr entwickelt.
Together, we developed a strategy for next year.
The reflexive form 'sich entwickeln' (to develop) is frequently used with the prepositions 'aus' (from) and 'zu' (into). The structure is 'sich aus etwas zu etwas entwickeln' (to develop from something into something).
Aus dem kleinen Start-up hat sich ein globales Unternehmen entwickelt.
The small start-up developed into a global company.
This meaning is limited to physical or chemical processes. Typical subjects are 'Feuer' (fire) or a 'chemische Reaktion' (chemical reaction), which then 'entwickeln' (produce/release) 'Hitze' (heat), 'Rauch' (smoke), or 'Gas' (gas) as the object.
Bei dem Brand entwickelte sich starker Rauch.
Heavy smoke developed during the fire.
This meaning belongs specifically to the vocabulary of analog photography. You can say 'einen Film entwickeln' (to develop a film) or 'Fotos entwickeln' (to develop photos). It describes the chemical process in a darkroom.
Früher musste man seine Urlaubsfotos in einem Labor entwickeln lassen.
In the past, you had to have your vacation photos developed in a lab.
to build
When talking about a career or relationship, sich entwickeln (to develop) mainly describes gradual change over time. Bauen (to build) places more emphasis on actively shaping something step by step. Sich entwickeln fits a process, while bauen is more suitable for deliberate action.
Nach ihrem Wechsel in die neue Abteilung entwickelte sich ihre Karriere sehr gut.
After she moved to the new department, her career developed very well.
Mit gezielten Fortbildungen baute sie sich Schritt für Schritt eine Karriere auf.
Through targeted professional training, she built a career for herself step by step.
