to sketch
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to sketch
To make a quick, simple drawing or draft of something that shows the essential features.
Der Künstler saß im Park und skizzierte die spielenden Kinder.
The artist sat in the park and sketched the children playing.
The verb 'skizzieren' (to sketch/outline) belongs to the noun 'die Skizze' (sketch). The ending '-ieren' is typical of many verbs that come from other languages (here, Italian). The basic meaning is always to present something only in broad strokes.
Ich habe eine Skizze von unserem neuen Garten gemacht.
I made a sketch of our new garden.
'Skizzieren' is a transitive verb. That means it almost always needs an accusative object, i.e. an answer to the question 'Wen oder was skizzieren?' (Whom or what to sketch/outline?).
Der Architekt skizzierte schnell einen ersten Entwurf für das Haus.
The architect quickly sketched an initial draft for the house.
In the literal meaning of drawing, 'skizzieren' (to sketch) is used with visual objects. Typical objects are 'ein Porträt' (a portrait), 'eine Landschaft' (a landscape), 'eine Figur' (a figure), or 'eine Szene' (a scene).
Sie saß am Strand und skizzierte den Sonnenuntergang in ihr Notizbuch.
She sat on the beach and sketched the sunset in her notebook.
In the figurative meaning of explaining, 'skizzieren' (to outline) is combined with abstract concepts. Typical objects are 'eine Idee' (an idea), 'ein Plan' (a plan), 'ein Problem' (a problem), or 'die nächsten Schritte' (the next steps).
Der Manager skizzierte kurz die neue Strategie für das kommende Jahr.
The manager briefly outlined the new strategy for the coming year.
to plan
'planen' and 'skizzieren' can both have to do with a project or a draft. 'planen' means thinking about how something should be done later, often with time, steps, and preparation. It can also mean a precise technical design. 'skizzieren', on the other hand, means showing something only roughly: as a simple drawing or as a short description without many details. Learners may confuse the words because both can come at the beginning of a project. In practice: when it is about organization and careful preparation, 'planen' fits. When you present an idea only briefly and roughly, 'skizzieren' is better.
Im Meeting skizziert Anna kurz ihre Idee für die neue Webseite.
In the meeting, Anna briefly outlines her idea for the new website.
Die Eltern planen den Umzug, weil sie bald mehr Platz brauchen.
The parents are planning the move because they will soon need more space.