klassifizieren
to classify
To assign something or someone to a particular class, group, or category.
EXAMPLE
Die Bibliothekare klassifizieren die neuen Bücher nach Themengebieten.
The librarians classify the new books by subject area.
klassifizieren
to classify
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb ends in '-ifizieren' (-ify). This ending comes from Latin and means 'to make something into something.' So 'klassifizieren' (to classify) literally means to put something into a 'Klasse' (class) or assign it to one.
EXAMPLE
Man muss die Proben klassifizieren, bevor man sie analysiert.
You have to classify the samples before analyzing them.
Sentence structure with 'als' and 'nach'
There are two important patterns: You classify something (accusative) 'als' (as) something, e.g. 'gefährlich' (dangerous), in order to assign a category. Or you classify something (accusative) 'nach' (by/according to) a criterion (dative), in order to sort it.
EXAMPLE
Der Experte klassifizierte den Fund als historisch wertvoll.
The expert classified the find as historically valuable.
Typical objects
This verb is often used with things that can be sorted or divided into categories. Common objects are 'Daten' (data), 'Dokumente' (documents), 'Produkte' (products), or 'Fälle' (cases).
EXAMPLE
Die Software hilft dabei, große Mengen an E-Mails zu klassifizieren.
The software helps classify large amounts of emails.
Compare with
klassifizieren vs zuordnen
to assign
Zuordnen and klassifizieren can assign something to a category. Zuordnen emphasizes the concrete connection with a suitable group. Klassifizieren highlights the systematic division into classes or categories and is especially appropriate when proceeding according to established criteria.
klassifizieren
Lea klassifiziert das Dokument nach dem Archivsystem als Vertrag.
According to the archival system, Lea classifies the document as a contract.
zuordnen
Lea ordnet das Dokument der Kategorie Verträge zu.
Lea assigns the document to the Contracts category.
In real life
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