to rehabilitate
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to rehabilitate
To take measures to reintegrate a person medically, socially, and professionally into society after an illness, accident, or addiction.
Nach seiner Knieoperation muss der Sportler erst wieder rehabilitiert werden, bevor er spielen kann.
After his knee operation, the athlete first has to be rehabilitated before he can play.
The prefix 're-' means 'again' or 'back'. So the verb always describes the restoration of a previous, positive state—whether health or honor.
Es dauerte Jahre, den durch den Brand zerstörten Wald zu rehabilitieren.
It took years to rehabilitate the forest destroyed by the fire.
The verb can be used transitively ('jemanden rehabilitieren' — to rehabilitate/exonerate someone) or reflexively ('sich rehabilitieren' — to rehabilitate/redeem oneself). Reflexive means that a person restores their own reputation.
Das Gericht hat den unschuldigen Mann nach Jahren rehabilitiert.
The court exonerated the innocent man after years.
Pay attention to the context to distinguish the meanings. If it is about 'Krankheit' (illness), 'Unfall' (accident), or 'Sucht' (addiction), the medical meaning is intended. With words like 'Ruf' (reputation), 'Ehre' (honor), or 'Urteil' (judgment/verdict), it is about restoring someone's standing.
Die Klinik hilft Patienten, sich nach einem Schlaganfall zu rehabilitieren.
The clinic helps patients rehabilitate after a stroke.
to treat / to deal with
'behandeln' and 'rehabilitieren' can both occur in a medical context. 'behandeln' means providing medical care for an illness or injury so that it improves or heals. 'rehabilitieren' usually comes after that or in addition to it: a person is meant to become more independent again after an illness, accident, or addiction and return to everyday life, work, or society. Learners may confuse the words because both describe help for people who are ill or injured. In practical terms: a wound is treated; a person is rehabilitated after a serious accident.
Nach dem Unfall wurde Paul mehrere Monate in einer Klinik rehabilitiert.
After the accident, Paul was rehabilitated in a clinic for several months.
Im Krankenhaus behandeln die Ärzte den gebrochenen Arm.
At the hospital, the doctors treat the broken arm.