veranstalten
to organize
To organize and carry out a public or private event such as a party, concert, or conference.
EXAMPLE
Die Stadt veranstaltet jedes Jahr einen großen Weihnachtsmarkt.
The city organizes a large Christmas market every year.
veranstalten
to organize / cause
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Meanings
etwas veranstalten
to cause something
Colloquial for causing excitement, noise, disorder, or unnecessary drama.
EXAMPLE
Was veranstaltest du denn hier für ein Chaos?
What kind of chaos are you causing here?
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'veranstalten' (to organize/cause) is the core of a word family. The person who organizes something is 'der Veranstalter' (the organizer), and the result is 'die Veranstaltung' (the event).
EXAMPLE
Die Universität veranstaltet jedes Jahr eine große Konferenz.
The university organizes a large conference every year.
Object as context clue
The object of the verb indicates the meaning. With a real event like 'ein Fest' (a party/festival), the neutral meaning 'organisieren' (to organize) is meant. With something negative like 'ein Chaos' (chaos), the colloquial meaning 'verursachen' (to cause) is meant.
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Wochenende veranstalten wir eine große Gartenparty.
Next weekend we're organizing a big garden party.
Typical events
In its main meaning, 'veranstalten' (to organize) is combined with public or private events. Typical examples are: ein Fest veranstalten (to organize a party/festival), eine Demonstration veranstalten (to organize a demonstration), eine Ausstellung veranstalten (to organize an exhibition), or einen Wettkampf veranstalten (to organize a competition).
EXAMPLE
Der Sportverein veranstaltet am Sonntag einen Marathon.
The sports club is organizing a marathon on Sunday.
Colloquial usage
In colloquial language, 'etwas veranstalten' (to cause/make something) often means to make unnecessary noise, chaos, or drama. Here it has a clearly negative and reproachful meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder haben in meinem Arbeitszimmer ein riesiges Durcheinander veranstaltet.
The children caused a huge mess in my study.
Compare with
veranstalten vs geben
to give
With certain events, such as a concert or a celebration, geben can mean “to organize and host.” Veranstalten is more general and fits many public or private events. Both are possible for a concert; for other types of events, veranstalten is usually the safer choice.
veranstalten
Der Verein veranstaltet am Samstag einen Flohmarkt im Stadtpark.
The club is organizing a flea market in the city park on Saturday.
geben
Der Verein gibt am Samstag ein Konzert im Stadtpark.
The club is hosting a concert in the city park on Saturday.
In real life
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