identifizieren
to identify
To recognize someone or something and determine clearly who or what it is.
EXAMPLE
Die Zeugin konnte den Täter auf dem Foto eindeutig identifizieren.
The witness was able to clearly identify the perpetrator in the photo.
identifizieren
to identify
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
sich identifizieren mit
to identify with
To feel so strongly connected to a person, group, or idea that one shares their views and goals.
EXAMPLE
Viele junge Menschen identifizieren sich mit den Zielen der Klimabewegung.
Many young people identify with the goals of the climate movement.
Usage tips
Verbs ending in '-ieren'
'Identifizieren' (to identify) is a typical verb ending in '-ieren'. These verbs are always regular, not separable, and form the past participle without 'ge-' (identifiziert).
EXAMPLE
Er hat das Geräusch als Vogelgezwitscher identifiziert.
He identified the sound as birdsong.
Two sentence patterns
The two meanings have different grammar. Recognizing someone/something means 'etwas identifizieren' (to identify something, with accusative). Feeling connected to someone/something means 'sich mit etwas identifizieren' (to identify with something, reflexive with a preposition).
EXAMPLE
Der Experte konnte die Pilzart sofort identifizieren.
The expert was able to identify the mushroom species immediately.
Typical objects
In the meaning of 'wiedererkennen' (to recognize), the verb is often used in official or scientific contexts. Typical objects are: identify a perpetrator, a cause, a problem, or a corpse.
EXAMPLE
Die Forscher versuchen, die Ursache der Krankheit zu identifizieren.
The researchers are trying to identify the cause of the disease.
Fixed preposition
When expressing connection with an idea or group, the reflexive construction 'sich identifizieren mit' (to identify with) + dative is always used. The preposition 'mit' is fixed here.
EXAMPLE
Er identifiziert sich stark mit den Werten seines Vereins.
He strongly identifies with the values of his club.
Compare with
identifizieren vs erkennen
to recognize / realize
Both verbs can be used when determining who a person in a picture is. erkennen generally assumes that the person is already known, while identifizieren establishes the person’s identity clearly, even if they were previously unknown. Use erkennen when recognizing someone and identifizieren when determining their identity clearly.
identifizieren
Auf dem Foto identifizierte die Polizei die unbekannte Person.
The police identified the unknown person in the photo.
erkennen
Auf dem Foto erkannte ich sofort unseren Nachbarn.
I immediately recognized our neighbor in the photo.
In real life
Loading video examples...