to design / shape
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to design / shape
To bring something into a specific form or give it a specific appearance. Often refers to creative or planning activities.
Die Künstlerin gestaltet eine Skulptur aus Holz.
The artist is shaping a sculpture out of wood.
The verb 'gestalten' (to design/shape) is derived from the noun 'die Gestalt' (form, figure). To 'gestalten' something therefore means to give it a particular form or appearance.
Die Wolken hatten eine seltsame Gestalt.
The clouds had a strange shape.
The reflexive form 'sich gestalten' has a different meaning: 'to develop' or 'to turn out/proceed'. It is often combined with an adverb that describes the type of development, e.g. 'sich schwierig gestalten' (to prove difficult / to turn out to be difficult).
Die Zusammenarbeit gestaltete sich einfacher als erwartet.
The collaboration turned out to be easier than expected.
'Gestalten' (to design/shape) refers either to something visual/creative, e.g. a garden or a poster, or to something abstract/organizational, e.g. an evening or the future. The context makes the difference clear.
Sie gestaltet den Garten mit vielen bunten Blumen.
She designs the garden with many colorful flowers.
In the creative sense, 'gestalten' (to design/shape) is often used with objects such as 'einen Raum' (a room), 'eine Webseite' (a website), 'ein Plakat' (a poster), or 'einen Garten' (a garden).
Der Designer soll die neue Webseite des Unternehmens gestalten.
The designer is supposed to design the company’s new website.
to form / educate
'bilden' and 'gestalten' can both mean that something takes shape. 'bilden' often says that something comes into being or is made up of parts. 'gestalten' puts more emphasis on someone consciously planning, deciding, and making something according to their own ideas. For example, you can design a room, a poster, or an evening. You are more likely to form a group, a row, or a whole with 'bilden'. The words can be confusing when forms are involved. When the creative or planning work is important, 'gestalten' usually sounds more natural.
Für die Feier gestalten wir morgen die Einladungen zu Hause.
For the party, we are designing the invitations at home tomorrow.
Die Stühle bilden einen Kreis in der Mitte des Raumes.
The chairs form a circle in the middle of the room.