verarbeiten
to process
To transform raw materials or materials into a finished product through a production process.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Fabrik wird Milch zu Käse und Joghurt verarbeitet.
In this factory, milk is processed into cheese and yogurt.
verarbeiten
to process
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Meanings
verarbeiten
to process
To mentally and emotionally cope with and accept an emotional or difficult experience.
EXAMPLE
Sie braucht noch Zeit, um den plötzlichen Verlust ihres Arbeitsplatzes zu verarbeiten.
She still needs time to process the sudden loss of her job.
verarbeiten
to process
To take in information, data, or impressions and process them mentally or technically.
EXAMPLE
Das Gehirn verarbeitet eine riesige Menge an Sinneseindrücken pro Sekunde.
The brain processes a huge amount of sensory impressions per second.
verarbeiten
to work into
To use a topic, idea, or experience as the basis or an element in a creative work such as a book, film, or piece of music.
EXAMPLE
Der Regisseur hat seine eigenen Kindheitserlebnisse in dem Film verarbeitet.
The director worked his own childhood experiences into the film.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verarbeiten' (to process) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the stem 'arbeiten' (to work) in all tenses and sentence constructions. It often indicates a change or transformation.
EXAMPLE
Er verarbeitet die Eindrücke des Tages in seinen Träumen.
He processes the impressions of the day in his dreams.
Context clues
The object of the verb reveals the exact meaning. With materials (wood, fabric), it is about production. With feelings (grief, shock), it is about psychological coping. With data or information, it is about their analysis.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma verarbeitet Leder zu hochwertigen Schuhen.
The company processes leather into high-quality shoes.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
When a raw material is transformed into a product, the result is often introduced with the preposition 'zu' (into). The structure is: etwas (accusative) zu etwas (dative) verarbeiten.
EXAMPLE
Die Trauben aus der Region werden zu Wein verarbeitet.
The grapes from the region are processed into wine.
Typical collocations
In the psychological meaning, 'verarbeiten' (to process) is usually combined with negative or intense experiences. Typical objects are 'ein Trauma' (a trauma), 'eine Niederlage' (a defeat), 'die Vergangenheit' (the past), or 'eine Trennung' (a breakup/separation).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Unfall brauchte er psychologische Hilfe, um das Erlebnis zu verarbeiten.
After the accident, he needed psychological help to process the experience.
Use with 'in'
When a topic or experience appears in a work of art, the preposition 'in' is often used. For example, you can say 'seine Gefühle in einem Lied verarbeiten' (to work one's feelings into a song).
EXAMPLE
Die Autorin hat ihre Reiseerlebnisse in ihrem neuen Roman verarbeitet.
The author worked her travel experiences into her new novel.
Compare with
verarbeiten vs behandeln
to treat / to deal with
Behandeln and verarbeiten can both connect a topic with a creative work. Behandeln presents or discusses the topic itself. Verarbeiten means using a topic or experience creatively as the basis for, or as an element of, the work.
verarbeiten
In dem Roman verarbeitet die Autorin die Flucht ihrer Familie zu einer erfundenen Geschichte.
In the novel, the author turns her family's escape into a fictional story.
behandeln
Der Roman behandelt die Flucht einer Familie als zentrales Thema.
The novel deals with a family's escape as its central theme.
In real life
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