to shape / to form
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to shape / to form
To bring something into a particular external shape or form by working on it. This can be done manually, as when kneading dough, or by machine.
Mit den Händen formte sie aus dem Ton eine kleine Schale.
With her hands, she shaped a small bowl out of the clay.
to shape
To significantly influence and shape the development of a person, their character, or their views. This often happens through upbringing, experiences, or the social environment.
Die Jahre im Ausland haben seine Persönlichkeit stark geformt.
The years abroad strongly shaped his personality.
The verb 'formen' (to shape/form) derives directly from the noun 'die Form' (shape/form). If you know that 'die Form' means 'shape', you can easily deduce that 'formen' means 'to shape' or 'in eine Form bringen' (to bring into a shape/form).
Der Bäcker formt aus dem Teig kleine Brötchen.
The baker shapes small rolls out of the dough.
The verb is often used with the prepositions 'aus' (out of/from) for the material and 'zu' (into) for the result. The pattern is: jemand formt etwas aus [Material] zu [Ergebnis] (someone shapes something out of [material] into [result]).
Er formte aus dem Draht eine Spirale.
He shaped a spiral out of the wire.
The type of object reveals the meaning. If it is a physical material like 'Ton' (clay) or 'Teig' (dough), the concrete meaning is intended. With abstract nouns like 'Charakter' (character) or 'Meinung' (opinion), it is about the figurative meaning of influencing or shaping.
Der Künstler formt eine Skulptur aus Stein.
The artist shapes a sculpture out of stone.
In the concrete meaning, 'formen' (to shape/form) is often combined with malleable materials. Typical phrases are 'Teig formen' (to shape dough), 'eine Kugel formen' (to form a ball), or 'Schneebälle formen' (to make snowballs).
Die Kinder formen im Winter lustige Schneemänner.
In winter, the children shape funny snowmen.
In the abstract meaning of shaping or influencing, 'formen' (to shape) is used with aspects of personality. Common combinations are 'den Charakter formen' (to shape character), 'jemandes Denken formen' (to shape someone's thinking), or 'die öffentliche Meinung formen' (to shape public opinion).
Gute Lehrer helfen dabei, den Charakter ihrer Schüler zu formen.
Good teachers help shape their students' character.
to form / educate
“Bilden” and “formen” can both be connected with the development of an opinion. “Sich eine Meinung bilden” emphasizes reaching one’s own judgment through reflection and information, while a “formender” influence highlights the shaping effect of external factors. Use “bilden” for the result of one’s own thinking and “formen” for the influence.
Die Erfahrungen in der Schule waren ein formender Einfluss auf ihre Meinung über den neuen Plan.
Her experiences at school had a formative influence on her opinion of the new plan.
Nach den Gesprächen bildete sie sich eine eigene Meinung über den neuen Plan.
After the discussions, she formed her own opinion about the new plan.
