sich versöhnen
to make up
To make peace again and get along after an argument or disagreement.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Streit haben sich die beiden Schwestern endlich wieder versöhnt.
After the long argument, the two sisters finally made up again.
versöhnen
to reconcile
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Meanings
jemanden mit etwas versöhnen
to reconcile someone to something
To make someone accept an unpleasant or negative situation and come to terms with it.
EXAMPLE
Der schöne Ausblick vom Gipfel versöhnte ihn mit dem anstrengenden Aufstieg.
The beautiful view from the summit reconciled him to the strenuous climb.
jemanden (mit jemandem) versöhnen
to reconcile people
To help two or more people who are in conflict settle their dispute and make peace again.
EXAMPLE
Der Mediator versuchte, die beiden verfeindeten Geschäftspartner miteinander zu versöhnen.
The mediator tried to reconcile the two hostile business partners with each other.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'ver-' in 'versöhnen' (to reconcile) is inseparable. It remains directly at the beginning of the verb in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Er versöhnte sich schnell wieder mit seinem Freund.
He quickly made up with his friend again.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'versöhnen' (to reconcile) from the grammar. 'Sich versöhnen' means to make peace. 'Jemanden mit etwas versöhnen' means to make someone accept a situation. 'Jemanden mit jemandem versöhnen' means to mediate between people.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschwister haben sich versöhnt.
The siblings made up.
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'to make peace', the verb is always used reflexively: 'sich versöhnen' (to make up). When several people are involved, you can also add 'miteinander' (with each other) to emphasize reciprocity.
EXAMPLE
Das Paar hat sich nach dem Streit wieder versöhnt.
The couple made up again after the argument.
Finding acceptance
The structure is 'etwas versöhnt jemanden mit etwas' (something reconciles someone to something). The subject is often a positive experience that allows a person (accusative) to make peace with a negative situation (mit + dative).
EXAMPLE
Der überraschende Sieg versöhnte die Mannschaft mit dem harten Training.
The surprising victory reconciled the team to the hard training.
Acting as a mediator
When a person acts as a mediator, that person is the subject of the sentence. The parties in conflict are the objects. The structure is: 'Person A versöhnt Person B mit Person C' (Person A reconciles Person B with Person C).
EXAMPLE
Ein guter Freund hat versucht, mich mit meinem Bruder zu versöhnen.
A good friend tried to reconcile me with my brother.
Compare with
versöhnen vs schlichten
to mediate / stack
Both verbs can refer to helping end a dispute between people. Schlichten emphasizes mediation and ending the conflict, while versöhnen focuses more on the people involved making peace again. Use schlichten for the dispute and versöhnen for the relationship between the people.
versöhnen
Die Schwester versöhnt ihre beiden Brüder nach dem Streit wieder miteinander.
After the argument, the sister reconciles her two brothers.
schlichten
Die Schwester schlichtet den Streit zwischen ihren beiden Brüdern.
The sister mediates the dispute between her two brothers.
In real life
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