to illustrate
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to illustrate
To provide a book, text, or publication with pictures, drawings, or graphics in order to supplement or decorate the content.
Der Künstler wurde beauftragt, das neue Kinderbuch zu illustrieren.
The artist was commissioned to illustrate the new children’s book.
'Illustrieren' (to illustrate) is a typical verb ending in '-ieren' that comes from another language. These verbs are always regular in their conjugation and are never separable. The prefix always remains firmly attached to the verb.
Er illustriert gerade die Titelseite des Magazins.
He is currently illustrating the magazine’s cover page.
You can recognize the meaning of 'illustrieren' (to illustrate) from the object. If it refers to a medium such as a book or a text, it is about pictures (meaning 1). If it refers to an abstract concept such as a theory or a problem, it is about illustration through examples (meaning 2).
Sie illustriert ein Kinderbuch mit bunten Aquarellen.
She is illustrating a children’s book with colorful watercolors.
In the meaning 'mit Bildern versehen' (to provide with pictures), 'illustrieren' (to illustrate) is often used with creative or informational works. Typical combinations are: ein Buch illustrieren (to illustrate a book), eine Geschichte illustrieren (to illustrate a story), or einen wissenschaftlichen Artikel illustrieren (to illustrate a scientific article).
Ein berühmter Zeichner hat diese Ausgabe der Märchen illustriert.
A famous illustrator illustrated this edition of the fairy tales.
When something is illustrated through examples, the structure 'etwas mit etwas illustrieren' (to illustrate something with something) or 'etwas an einem Beispiel illustrieren' (to illustrate something using an example) often follows. The means of illustration is introduced with a preposition.
Die Lehrerin illustrierte die Grammatikregel mit vielen Beispielen.
The teacher illustrated the grammar rule with many examples.
to explain / declare
'erklären' and 'illustrieren' can both help make something easier to understand. 'erklären' means that you explain a situation or topic directly, usually with words. 'illustrieren' here means that you make something clearer through an example, a comparison, or a small demonstration. It is often an addition to an explanation. The words can be confused because both help with understanding. If you make the content itself clear, 'erklären' fits. If you make the content easier to see or grasp with an example, 'illustrieren' fits.
Mit einem einfachen Beispiel illustriert sie, warum der Plan nicht funktioniert.
She uses a simple example to illustrate why the plan does not work.
Meine Freundin erklärt mir in der Pause den Weg zum neuen Büro.
My friend explains the way to the new office to me during the break.