to notify / communicate / agree
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to notify someone
To inform or notify someone about something, often in an urgent matter.
Bitte verständigen Sie im Brandfall sofort die Feuerwehr.
In the event of a fire, please notify the fire department immediately.
to communicate
To communicate with someone and understand each other, even when there are language barriers or other obstacles.
Im Urlaub konnten wir uns mit den Einheimischen auf Englisch gut verständigen.
On vacation, we were able to communicate well with the locals in English.
to agree on something
To reach a mutual agreement or compromise after a discussion or negotiation.
Die beiden Parteien haben sich nach langen Verhandlungen auf einen neuen Vertrag verständigt.
After long negotiations, the two parties agreed on a new contract.
The verb 'verständigen' is closely connected to words related to understanding. These include 'der Verstand' (intellect), 'das Verständnis' (ability to understand/understanding), and 'verständlich' (easy to understand).
Seine Erklärung war für alle gut verständlich.
His explanation was easy for everyone to understand.
The three main meanings have different sentence patterns. Informing someone: 'jemanden (Akk) verständigen' (to notify someone). Communicating: 'sich (mit jemandem) verständigen' (to communicate with someone). Reaching agreement: 'sich auf etwas (Akk) verständigen' (to agree on something).
Er verständigte sofort den Hausmeister.
He immediately notified the building manager.
In the meaning 'inform', the verb is often used for emergencies or urgent messages. Typical objects are 'die Polizei' (the police), 'die Feuerwehr' (the fire department), 'den Notarzt' (the emergency doctor/paramedic), or 'die Angehörigen' (the relatives).
Die Zeugen des Unfalls verständigten sofort die Polizei.
The witnesses to the accident immediately notified the police.
When it is about communication, the verb is reflexive. The language or method is given with 'in' or 'auf' (+ dative), and the communication partner with 'mit' (+ dative).
Obwohl sie verschiedene Sprachen sprachen, konnten sie sich irgendwie verständigen.
Although they spoke different languages, they were somehow able to communicate.
to agree / reconcile
Both verbs can express the result of a discussion. Vereinbaren puts the specific arrangement at the center. Sich auf etwas verständigen places more emphasis on the fact that the people involved arrived at this shared solution through discussions or negotiations.
Nach mehreren Gesprächen verständigten sich die beiden Gruppen auf eine gemeinsame Regel für die Pausen.
After several discussions, the two groups reached an agreement on a common rule for breaks.
Die beiden Gruppen vereinbarten eine gemeinsame Regel für die Pausen.
The two groups agreed on a common rule for breaks.
