to renovate / restructure
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to renovate
To restore a building or apartment to good condition through renovation and modernization. This often includes repairing structural damage and improving energy efficiency.
Die Altbauwohnung wurde aufwendig saniert und ist jetzt kaum wiederzuerkennen.
The old apartment was extensively renovated and is now hardly recognizable.
'Sanieren' comes from the Latin word 'sanus', which means 'healthy'. All meanings have the basic idea of making something 'healthy again'—whether a building, a company, or teeth.
Die Stadt plant, das alte Schwimmbad zu sanieren.
The city is planning to renovate the old swimming pool.
Which meaning of 'sanieren' (to renovate/restructure/restore) is meant can almost always be recognized from the object of the sentence. You either renovate buildings ('ein Haus' — a house), restructure finances ('ein Unternehmen' — a company), or restore body parts ('das Gebiss' — the teeth).
Die Fassade des alten Rathauses wird saniert.
The facade of the old town hall is being renovated.
When it comes to buildings, 'sanieren' (to renovate) is often combined with adverbs like 'umfassend' (comprehensively), 'grundlegend' (thoroughly), or 'energetisch' (for energy efficiency) to describe the type of renovation more precisely.
Viele alte Häuser müssen energetisch saniert werden, um Heizkosten zu sparen.
Many old houses need to be renovated for energy efficiency in order to save on heating costs.
In an economic context, it is often not only a 'Firma' (company) or 'Unternehmen' (business) that is restructured, but also the 'Haushalt' (budget) of a city or state.
Die Regierung hat ein Programm aufgelegt, um den Staatshaushalt zu sanieren.
The government has launched a program to restructure the national budget.
In medicine, 'sanieren' (to restore) is used almost exclusively in dentistry. It means that all teeth and the gums are treated and brought into a healthy condition.
Der Zahnarzt empfahl, das gesamte Gebiss sanieren zu lassen.
The dentist recommended having the entire set of teeth restored.
to treat / to deal with
'behandeln' and 'sanieren' can both mean that you want to bring something into a better condition. 'behandeln' is broader and fits illnesses, injuries, surfaces, or materials. It often describes a single measure or a particular type of treatment or processing. 'sanieren' usually means that something is restored thoroughly, for example a building or, in medicine, a set of teeth. The words can be confused because both have to do with repairing, healing, or improving. However, 'sanieren' sounds more comprehensive and long-term; 'behandeln' is more general and is also normal for smaller medical or technical measures.
Die Stadt saniert die alte Schule, weil das Dach und die Fenster kaputt sind.
The city is renovating the old school because the roof and windows are broken.
Der Zahnarzt behandelt den schmerzenden Zahn noch heute.
The dentist is treating the painful tooth today.