to carry out
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to carry out
To perform or carry out a specific action, often in a business or formal context. It is almost always used with a noun such as 'Kauf' (purchase), 'Anruf' (call), or 'Investition' (investment).
Sie müssen noch einen Anruf tätigen, bevor wir gehen können.
You still need to make a call before we can leave.
The verb 'tätigen' (to carry out) belongs to the word family of 'die Tat' (deed) and the adjective 'tätig' (active / working). It describes carrying out an action or deed.
Er ist im Vorstand des Vereins tätig.
He is active on the board of the association.
'Tätigen' (to carry out) is almost never used on its own. It needs a noun that describes the actual action, e.g. 'ein Kauf' (a purchase), 'ein Anruf' (a call). The verb itself only means 'to carry out'.
Ich muss heute noch eine wichtige Überweisung tätigen.
I still have to make an important bank transfer today.
Common combinations are 'einen Kauf tätigen' (to make a purchase), 'eine Investition tätigen' (to make an investment), 'einen Anruf tätigen' (to make a call), or 'eine Aussage tätigen' (to make a statement). These expressions are typical of business and official language.
Die Firma hat eine große Investition in neue Technologien getätigt.
The company has made a large investment in new technologies.
This verb belongs to formal written language and is often used in business, legal, or official contexts. In normal everyday conversation, it often sounds too stiff.
Bitte tätigen Sie Ihre Auswahl auf dem Bildschirm.
Please make your selection on the screen.
to do / make
'machen' and 'tätigen' can both describe an action. 'machen' is the normal, general verb for many different activities. 'tätigen' sounds more formal and is almost always used with certain nouns, for example 'einen Anruf tätigen' (to make a call), 'einen Kauf tätigen' (to make a purchase), or 'eine Investition tätigen' (to make an investment). The words are easy to confuse because 'tätigen' often seems like an elevated version of 'machen'. But it does not fit everywhere. In everyday language, 'machen' sounds more natural; in business or official situations, 'tätigen' can be more precise.
Der Kunde tätigt die Zahlung direkt nach der Bestellung.
The customer makes the payment right after placing the order.
Ich mache heute noch die Hausaufgaben und räume danach auf.
I’ll do my homework today and then tidy up.