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.
to sensitize
In medicine or psychology, it means to make an organism or sensory organ sensitive or more receptive to a particular stimulus or substance.
Durch den ständigen Kontakt mit dem Allergen wurde sein Immunsystem sensibilisiert.
Through constant contact with the allergen, his immune system was sensitized.
to sensitize
In technology, especially in photography, to make a substance or material sensitive to light or other radiation.
Die Fotoplatte wird in der Dunkelkammer mit einer speziellen Chemikalie sensibilisiert.
The photographic plate is sensitized in the darkroom with a special chemical.
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 point out / indicate
Hinweisen and sensibilisieren can both draw people’s attention to a problem. “Hinweisen” usually names or shows the problem directly, while “sensibilisieren” also deepens people’s awareness and understanding of it. Use “hinweisen” for a single indication and “sensibilisieren” for a longer-lasting engagement with the topic.
Die Kampagne sensibilisiert die Bürger für die Gefahren von Müll im Park.
The campaign raises residents’ awareness of the dangers of litter in the park.
Die Kampagne weist die Bürger auf die Gefahren von Müll im Park hin.
The campaign points out the dangers of litter in the park to residents.
