to develop / earn
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to earn through effort
To achieve or acquire something through one's own effort, hard work, and labor.
Sie hat sich ihren Erfolg und ihre Position in der Firma hart erarbeitet.
She earned her success and her position in the company through hard effort.
to develop
To develop and work out something, such as a concept, a plan, or a solution, through systematic work.
Die Arbeitsgruppe hat gemeinsam eine Strategie für das neue Projekt erarbeitet.
The working group developed a strategy for the new project together.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'er-' and 'arbeiten' (to work). The prefix 'er-' often expresses that you achieve a result through an action. 'Erarbeiten' therefore means to create or achieve something through work.
Die Studenten müssen sich den Lernstoff selbstständig erarbeiten.
The students have to work through the course material independently.
'Erarbeiten' is an inseparable verb because it begins with 'er-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms.
Das Team erarbeitete eine Lösung für das komplexe Problem.
The team developed a solution to the complex problem.
Using it with or without a reflexive pronoun indicates the meaning. 'Sich (Dativ) etwas erarbeiten' means to gain something for oneself through effort. 'Etwas erarbeiten' means to develop something (e.g., a concept), often in a team.
Er hat sich seinen guten Ruf hart erarbeitet.
He earned his good reputation through hard effort.
In the reflexive meaning, the verb is often combined with abstract goals. Typical phrases are: 'sich Respekt erarbeiten' (to earn respect), 'sich eine gute Position erarbeiten' (to earn a good position), or 'sich Anerkennung erarbeiten' (to earn recognition).
Durch ihre Zuverlässigkeit hat sie sich den Respekt ihrer Kollegen erarbeitet.
Through her reliability, she earned the respect of her colleagues.
to develop
When referring to a new solution, entwickeln emphasizes the step-by-step process of creating and building it. Erarbeiten places more emphasis on the systematic intellectual work and the effort required. Both can refer to the same result, but they highlight different aspects.
Das Team erarbeitet in mehreren Sitzungen eine neue Lösung für das Problem.
The team is working out a new solution to the problem over several meetings.
Das Team entwickelt schrittweise eine neue Lösung für das Problem.
The team is gradually developing a new solution to the problem.
