operieren
to operate
To perform a surgical procedure on a patient in order to cure an illness or treat an injury.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt wird den Patienten morgen am Herzen operieren.
The doctor will operate on the patient's heart tomorrow.
operieren
to operate
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
operieren
to operate
To act strategically or carry out actions in a specific area or context. This is often used in military, police, or business contexts.
EXAMPLE
Die Spezialeinheit operiert verdeckt hinter den feindlichen Linien.
The special unit is operating covertly behind enemy lines.
operieren
to operate
To work with abstract concepts, numbers, or symbols, especially in mathematics or logic.
EXAMPLE
In der Algebra operieren wir mit Variablen anstelle von konkreten Zahlen.
In algebra, we operate with variables instead of concrete numbers.
Usage tips
Focus on actions
The verb 'operieren' (to operate) in German describes actions on people (medical) or strategic actions (military, business). It is not used for the technical control of devices or machines.
EXAMPLE
Die Sondereinheit operiert nur nachts.
The special unit operates only at night.
Sentence structure in the hospital
In the medical meaning, the structure 'jemanden an etwas (Dativ) operieren' (to operate on someone on something) is often used to name the affected body part. The subject is usually medical personnel.
EXAMPLE
Der Chirurg musste ihn am Knie operieren.
The surgeon had to operate on his knee.
Strategic action
In the strategic meaning, 'operieren' (to operate) is often combined with adverbs that describe the manner of the action. In this case, it does not have a direct object.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma operiert international.
The company operates internationally.
Abstract work
In the scientific or mathematical meaning, 'operieren' (to operate) is almost always used with the preposition 'mit' (with) and the dative to name the concepts or symbols used.
EXAMPLE
Ein guter Programmierer operiert mit logischen Strukturen.
A good programmer operates with logical structures.
Compare with
operieren vs rechnen
to calculate / to expect
With „rechnen“, you solve mathematical problems or perform a calculation. „Operieren“ can also work in mathematical or logical contexts, but it sounds more technical there and emphasizes working with numbers or symbols. In ordinary classes and everyday situations, „rechnen“ is usually the more appropriate choice.
operieren
In diesem logischen Modell operiert man mit Zahlen und Symbolen.
In this logical model, one operates with numbers and symbols.
rechnen
Für die Aufgabe muss ich zuerst die beiden Zahlen rechnen.
For this problem, I first have to calculate the two numbers.
In real life
Loading video examples...