to manipulate
Loading your saved state.
to manipulate
To influence someone or a situation skillfully and often in an unfair or dishonest way in order to achieve one's own goals.
Er versuchte, die öffentliche Meinung durch gezielte Falschinformationen zu manipulieren.
He tried to manipulate public opinion through targeted false information.
to manipulate
To skillfully and deliberately handle, process, or change something, such as a device, data, or a mechanism.
Der Techniker manipulierte die Einstellungen der Maschine, um die Leistung zu optimieren.
The technician manipulated the machine's settings to optimize performance.
The word comes from the Latin 'manus' (the hand). This explains the double meaning: you can have both people (in a figurative sense) and devices (literally) 'in your hand' and control them deliberately.
Die Fähigkeit, feinste Instrumente zu manipulieren, ist für einen Chirurgen entscheidend.
The ability to manipulate the finest instruments is crucial for a surgeon.
Like most verbs ending in '-ieren', 'manipulieren' (to manipulate) is regular and inseparable. It is especially important that the past participle is formed without 'ge-': 'hat manipuliert' (has manipulated).
Er hat die Software so manipuliert, dass sie schneller läuft.
He manipulated the software so that it runs faster.
You can tell whether the negative (m01) or technical (m02) meaning is intended from the object. If the verb refers to people, opinions, or elections, it is about influence. If it refers to devices, data, or machines, it is about technical handling.
Die Opposition warf der Regierung vor, die Wähler zu manipulieren.
The opposition accused the government of manipulating the voters.
In the meaning of 'beeinflussen' (to influence), 'manipulieren' (to manipulate) is often used with social or political objects, e.g. 'die Wahlen manipulieren' (to manipulate the elections), 'die Presse manipulieren' (to manipulate the press), or 'jemanden emotional manipulieren' (to manipulate someone emotionally).
In der Diktatur wurde die Presse systematisch manipuliert.
In the dictatorship, the press was systematically manipulated.
to influence
Both words can describe having an effect on a person or their decision. Beeinflussen is neutral and need not be planned or unfair. Manipulieren, by contrast, highlights deliberate, often dishonest influence for one’s own ends. Use beeinflussen for a normal effect and manipulieren when making this critical accusation.
Der Verkäufer manipuliert ihre Entscheidung für den teuren Vertrag.
The salesperson is manipulating her into choosing the expensive contract.
Die Erfahrungen anderer beeinflussen ihre Entscheidung für den neuen Beruf.
Other people’s experiences influence her decision to pursue the new career.
