to make sure
Loading your saved state.
to make sure
To ensure or check that something is in a certain state or corresponds to the truth. You gain certainty about something.
Bevor sie das Haus verließ, vergewisserte sie sich, dass alle Lichter ausgeschaltet waren.
Before she left the house, she made sure that all the lights were turned off.
The verb 'vergewissern' (to make sure) contains the word 'gewiss', which means 'certain' or 'sure'. 'Sich vergewissern' (to make sure) therefore literally means to obtain certainty for oneself about something.
Ich wollte mich nur kurz vergewissern, dass es dir gut geht.
I just wanted to quickly make sure that you're doing well.
This verb is always used reflexively with 'sich'. You cannot 'vergewissern' another person; you can only do it for 'sich selbst' (oneself).
Er vergewisserte sich, dass er seinen Schlüssel eingesteckt hatte.
He made sure that he had put his key in his pocket.
Most often, 'sich vergewissern' (to make sure) is followed by a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or 'ob' (whether/if), which explains what one is gaining certainty about. Less common and more formal is the use with a genitive object.
Kannst du dich bitte vergewissern, ob die Post schon da ist?
Can you please make sure whether the mail has arrived yet?
to convince
Both reflexive expressions mean that you check a fact yourself. Sich überzeugen tends to emphasize gaining a firm conviction afterward, while sich vergewissern highlights eliminating a specific uncertainty. Use „sich überzeugen“ for a thorough personal check and „sich vergewissern“ for a quick check.
Vor dem Kauf vergewisserte ich mich, dass die Maschine eingeschaltet werden kann.
Before buying it, I made sure that the machine could be switched on.
Vor dem Kauf überzeugte ich mich davon, dass die Maschine zuverlässig arbeitet.
Before buying it, I checked for myself that the machine operated reliably.
