sich versammeln
to gather
Refers to a group of people coming together at a specific place, often for a shared purpose.
EXAMPLE
Die Demonstranten versammeln sich vor dem Rathaus.
The demonstrators gather in front of the town hall.
versammeln
to gather
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Meanings
versammeln
to gather
The active act of bringing or calling together people or objects in one place.
EXAMPLE
Der Kapitän versammelte die Mannschaft auf dem Deck.
The captain gathered the crew on the deck.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Versammeln' (to gather) is an inseparable verb derived from 'sammeln' (to collect/gather). The prefix 'ver-' always remains attached to the verb and strengthens the idea of bringing a group together in one place.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer versammelte alle Schüler in der Aula.
The teacher gathered all the students in the assembly hall.
Reflexive vs. transitive
This verb has two important uses. 'Sich versammeln' (to gather) is reflexive and means that a group comes together on its own. 'Jemanden versammeln' (to gather someone) is transitive and means that a person actively calls a group together.
EXAMPLE
Die Familie versammelt sich jedes Jahr zu Weihnachten.
The family gathers every year at Christmas.
Typical places
When a group gathers, this often happens in a public or central place. Typical formulations are 'sich auf einem Platz versammeln' (to gather in a square), 'sich in einem Raum versammeln' (to gather in a room), or 'sich für einen Zweck versammeln' (to gather for a purpose).
EXAMPLE
Die Fans versammelten sich vor dem Stadion.
The fans gathered in front of the stadium.
Compare with
versammeln vs sammeln
to collect / gather
Sammeln people generally means bringing them to one place, for example after an activity in which they were spread out. Versammeln is more deliberate: it means forming a group of people who are present, often for a shared purpose. For a meeting, versammeln is therefore usually the better choice.
versammeln
Vor der Besprechung versammelt die Lehrerin die Kinder im Klassenraum.
Before the meeting, the teacher gathers the children in the classroom.
sammeln
Nach der Pause sammelt die Lehrerin die Kinder wieder am Eingang.
After the break, the teacher gathers the children at the entrance again.
In real life
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