rangieren
to rank
To occupy a particular place or rank in an order, hierarchy, or list.
EXAMPLE
In der Weltrangliste rangiert die Mannschaft derzeit auf dem fünften Platz.
In the world rankings, the team currently ranks in fifth place.
rangieren
to rank / to shunt
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Meanings
rangieren
to shunt
The moving and assembling of railway cars or locomotives, especially in a marshalling yard.
EXAMPLE
Der Lokführer musste die Waggons auf dem Nebengleis rangieren.
The train driver had to shunt the cars onto the side track.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'rangieren' (to rank/to shunt) is derived from the noun 'der Rang' (rank), which means 'position' or 'status'. So it describes occupying a particular rank.
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen hohen Rang im Unternehmen.
He has a high rank in the company.
False friend
'Rangieren' (to rank/to shunt) does not mean the same thing as the English 'to range'. 'To range' describes a span (e.g., 'prices range from A to B'), while 'rangieren' refers to a fixed position in an order.
EXAMPLE
Das Produkt rangiert bei den Kundenbewertungen ganz oben.
The product ranks right at the top in customer reviews.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If it is about lists, places, or comparisons, it means a position. If it is about trains, cars, or stations, it means moving railway cars.
EXAMPLE
Die Universität rangiert international unter den Top 50.
The university ranks internationally among the top 50.
Typical prepositions
When it is about a position in a list, 'rangieren' (to rank) is often used with the prepositions 'auf' (+ dative) for an exact place or 'unter' (+ dative) for a group.
EXAMPLE
Der Film rangiert auf Platz eins der Kinocharts.
The film ranks first in the cinema charts.
Register: technical language
In the meaning of moving railway cars, 'rangieren' (to shunt) is a technical term from the railway field. You hear it almost exclusively in this context.
EXAMPLE
Der Rangierbahnhof ist rund um die Uhr in Betrieb.
The marshalling yard is in operation around the clock.
Compare with
rangieren vs liegen
to lie / be located
When talking about a ranking, liegen and rangieren can refer to the same position. Liegen states the standing more neutrally, based on the context, while rangieren explicitly emphasizes placement in the order and often sounds more technical. Use liegen in everyday language and rangieren when giving clear information about rank or position.
rangieren
Unsere Mannschaft rangiert in der Tabelle auf dem dritten Platz.
Our team ranks third in the standings.
liegen
Unsere Mannschaft liegt in der Tabelle auf dem dritten Platz.
Our team is in third place in the standings.
In real life
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