to orient / to inform
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to orient oneself
To determine one's own position and find the right way, often with the help of a map, a compass, or landmarks.
In der fremden Stadt musste ich mich erst einmal mit einem Stadtplan orientieren.
In the unfamiliar city, I first had to orient myself with a city map.
In the meanings 'den Weg finden' (to find the way) and 'sich nach etwas richten' (to follow something / be guided by something), 'orientieren' (to orient) is a reflexive verb. So you always have to use 'sich' (oneself): mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich.
Ich muss mich kurz orientieren, bevor wir weitergehen.
I need to orient myself briefly before we continue.
The preposition 'an' (+ dative) changes the meaning. Without a preposition, 'sich orientieren' usually means to find one's own location. With 'sich orientieren an', it means to take something as a model or standard.
Er orientierte sich mit dem Kompass nach Norden.
He oriented himself northward with the compass.
When finding your way, you often orient yourself 'mit' (with) an aid or 'anhand von' (by means of) something recognizable. Typical phrases are 'sich mit einer Karte orientieren' (to orient oneself with a map) or 'sich an den Sternen orientieren' (to orient oneself by the stars).
Ohne Stadtplan kann ich mich in dieser riesigen Stadt nicht orientieren.
Without a city map, I can't orient myself in this huge city.
In the meaning 'sich nach etwas richten' (to follow something / be guided by something), the preposition 'an' is always followed by the dative. You orient yourself toward a person (dative) or toward a thing (dative).
Das Design orientiert sich an den neuesten Trends.
The design is oriented toward the latest trends.
In the meaning 'jemanden informieren' (to inform someone), the verb is not reflexive but transitive: Man orientiert jemanden (accusative) über etwas (accusative). This usage is formal and typical of written language or business communication.
Bitte orientieren Sie mich über den aktuellen Stand des Projekts.
Please inform me about the current status of the project.
to inform
'informieren' and 'orientieren' can both mean that someone receives important information. 'informieren' is the normal and neutral word for this: someone passes on information or looks for it themselves. 'orientieren' in this meaning is rather formal and means to brief someone on the most important points of a matter. It fits, for example, in meetings, reports, or official situations. In everyday speech, 'informieren' usually sounds more natural. 'orientieren' also has other meanings, such as finding one's way or aligning oneself with something; those are not meant here.
Vor dem Termin orientiert die Chefin das Team über den aktuellen Stand.
Before the appointment, the boss briefs the team on the current situation.
Der Vermieter informiert die Nachbarn über die Reparatur im Haus.
The landlord informs the neighbors about the repair in the building.