to raise awareness / sensitize
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to raise awareness of
To draw someone's attention to a particular topic or problem and sharpen their awareness or understanding of it.
Die Kampagne soll die Öffentlichkeit für die Gefahren von Plastikmüll sensibilisieren.
The campaign is intended to raise public awareness of the dangers of plastic waste.
The verb 'sensibilisieren' (to raise awareness/sensitize) is derived from the adjective 'sensibel' (sensitive). The ending '-isieren' means 'to make something ...'. So 'sensibilisieren' literally means to make someone or something sensitive to something.
Er ist sehr sensibel für die Stimmungen anderer Menschen.
He is very sensitive to other people's moods.
'Sensibilisieren' (to raise awareness/sensitize) is a rather formal word that is often used in written language, in news reports, presentations, or specialist texts. It is less common in everyday conversation.
Der Bericht soll politische Entscheidungsträger für das Problem sensibilisieren.
The report is intended to raise policymakers' awareness of the problem.
In the meaning of 'creating awareness', the verb is always used with the preposition 'für' and the accusative. The pattern is: jemanden für etwas sensibilisieren (to raise someone's awareness of something).
Wir müssen die Schüler für die Wichtigkeit des Umweltschutzes sensibilisieren.
We need to raise students' awareness of the importance of environmental protection.
When it is about creating awareness, the objects are often groups of people such as 'die Öffentlichkeit' (the public), 'die Mitarbeiter' (the employees), 'die Gesellschaft' (society), or 'die Jugend' (young people/youth).
Die Kampagne hat die Öffentlichkeit erfolgreich für das Thema sensibilisiert.
The campaign successfully raised public awareness of the issue.
In a medical context, you can recognize this meaning by the fact that it is about the body or the psyche. The preposition 'gegen' (against/to) is often used to name the trigger.
Sein Körper ist gegen bestimmte Pollen sensibilisiert.
His body is sensitized to certain types of pollen.
to inform
'informieren' and 'sensibilisieren' both have to do with someone learning something about a topic. 'informieren' mainly means: to give someone clear facts, news, or information. 'sensibilisieren' goes further: the aim is for people to notice a problem more clearly and deal with it more attentively. The words can be confused because raising awareness often also involves informing people. But not every piece of information changes awareness. For appointments, rules, or news, 'informieren' fits better; for topics such as safety, health, or discrimination, 'sensibilisieren' often fits.
Herr Wolf sensibilisiert die Fahrer für die Gefahr von Müdigkeit im Verkehr.
Mr. Wolf raises the drivers' awareness of the danger of tiredness in traffic.
Die Ärztin informiert den Patienten über die nächsten Schritte.
The doctor informs the patient about the next steps.