01
versetzen
to transfer
To send a person to a different workplace or to another department.
example
Meine Kollegin wurde in die Filiale nach München versetzt.
My colleague was transferred to the branch in Munich.
versetzen
to transfer / put / pawn
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Versetzen' (to transfer / put / pawn) is an inseparable verb made up of the prefix 'ver-' and the verb 'setzen' (to set / put). Here, the prefix 'ver-' often indicates a change of place or state.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachricht versetzte ihn in große Sorge.
The news put him into great worry.
Context: workplace
In a professional context, 'versetzen' (to transfer) means that an employee gets a new workplace or a new position. The construction is often 'jemanden nach/in ... versetzen' (to transfer someone to/into ...).
EXAMPLE
Der Angestellte wurde von Hamburg nach Berlin versetzt.
The employee was transferred from Hamburg to Berlin.
Reflexive with 'in'
The expression 'sich in jemanden versetzen' (to put oneself in someone's position) is reflexive and always uses the preposition 'in' with the accusative. It means to imagine oneself in another person's situation.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann mich gut in deine Situation versetzen.
I can put myself in your situation well.
State with 'in'
To express that someone enters an emotional state, you use the structure 'jemanden in' + accusative + 'versetzen' (to put someone into ...). Typical states are 'in Panik' (in panic), 'in Erstaunen' (in amazement), or 'in Aufregung' (in excitement).
EXAMPLE
Der laute Knall versetzte alle Anwesenden in Angst und Schrecken.
The loud bang put everyone present into fear and terror.
Context: school
This meaning is used almost only in a school context. It is usually in the passive to say that a student moves up to the next grade.
EXAMPLE
Am Ende des Schuljahres war unklar, ob er versetzt wird.
At the end of the school year, it was unclear whether he would be promoted.
Context: pawnshop
In this meaning, you give a valuable item as security for money. This typically happens at a pawnshop.
EXAMPLE
Um die Miete zu bezahlen, musste er seinen Laptop versetzen.
To pay the rent, he had to pawn his laptop.
Compare with
versetzen vs bringen
to bring
'bringen' and 'versetzen' can both mean that someone or something comes to another place or into another state. However, 'bringen' is much more general and very common in everyday language: you can 'ein Kind zur Schule bringen' (take a child to school) or 'jemanden in gute Laune bringen' (put someone in a good mood). 'versetzen' sounds more precise and often somewhat more formal. It is especially suitable when something is placed or moved to another position, or when someone suddenly enters a particular state, for example fear or joy. Learners may confuse the words because both express a change. As a simple guideline: for normal transporting, you usually use 'bringen'; for deliberate repositioning or a strong change of state, 'versetzen' is more likely.
versetzen
Die Nachricht versetzte die ganze Familie in große Sorge.
The news put the whole family into a state of great worry.
bringen
Kannst du die Unterlagen bitte ins Büro bringen?
Could you please bring the documents to the office?
In real life
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