01
organisieren
to organize
To plan and prepare an event, activity, or project.
example
Wir müssen noch die Musik für die Party organisieren.
We still need to organize the music for the party.
organisieren
to organize
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'organisieren' (to organize) belongs to a word family. 'Die Organisation' (the organization/organizing) is the action or the group, and 'der Organisator' (the organizer) is the person who organizes something.
EXAMPLE
Die Organisation des Festivals war eine große Herausforderung.
The organization of the festival was a major challenge.
Reflexive use
The verb can also be used reflexively: 'sich organisieren' (to organize oneself/themselves). This can mean that a group of people joins together, or that a person structures their own life or work.
EXAMPLE
Die Mitarbeiter organisierten sich, um bessere Arbeitsbedingungen zu fordern.
The employees organized themselves to demand better working conditions.
Typical objects
In the meaning 'planen' (to plan), 'organisieren' (to organize) is typically used with events and activities. For example, you can organize a party, a trip, a meeting, or a demonstration.
EXAMPLE
Wer organisiert dieses Jahr das Sommerfest der Firma?
Who is organizing the company's summer party this year?
Register: informal speech
The meaning 'beschaffen' (to obtain) or 'besorgen' (to get) is very informal and is mainly used in spoken language. This use should be avoided in formal or written contexts.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du für die Feier noch ein paar Stühle organisieren?
Can you arrange a few more chairs for the celebration?
Compare with
organisieren vs planen
to plan
'planen' and 'organisieren' both have to do with preparation. 'planen' emphasizes more that you are thinking something through for the future: What should happen, when, and how? 'organisieren' often goes one step further: you also take care of the practical side so that everything works, for example rooms, times, people, or materials. Learners may confuse the words because you can both plan and organize a party. As a simple guide: with 'planen', the idea or sequence of events is in the foreground; with 'organisieren', the practical order and preparation are.
organisieren
Sofia organisiert für die Besprechung einen Raum und Getränke.
Sofia is organizing a room and drinks for the meeting.
planen
Für das Wochenende planen wir einen Ausflug an den See.
We are planning a trip to the lake for the weekend.
In real life
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