to manage / make a mess
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to manage resources
To manage and use the economic resources of a household, company, or national economy in a planned and economical way.
Seit sie arbeitslos ist, muss sie mit ihrem Geld sehr sparsam wirtschaften.
Since she has been unemployed, she has to manage her money very frugally.
to make a mess
Colloquial and often derogatory for causing disorder or chaos.
Wer hat denn in der Küche so gewirtschaftet? Alles ist schmutzig!
Who made such a mess in the kitchen? Everything is dirty!
to run an inn
To operate a restaurant or inn; to work as an innkeeper or landlady.
In diesem alten Gasthof wird schon seit über 100 Jahren gewirtschaftet.
This old inn has been run as a business for over 100 years.
The verb 'wirtschaften' is closely related to the noun 'die Wirtschaft' (economy, pub/restaurant) and the profession 'der Wirt' (host, innkeeper). It describes the activity carried out in a 'Wirtschaft' or by a 'Wirt': managing resources or running a restaurant.
Ein gutes Unternehmen muss nachhaltig wirtschaften.
A good company must operate sustainably.
You can recognize the meaning of 'wirtschaften' from the context. If it is about money, a budget, or a company, economic management is meant. If disorder in a room such as the kitchen is being discussed, it means 'Chaos machen' (to make a mess).
Die Familie muss lernen, mit weniger Geld zu wirtschaften.
The family has to learn to manage with less money.
In the economic meaning, 'wirtschaften' is often combined with adverbs that describe the type of management. Typical combinations are 'gut wirtschaften' (to manage well), 'schlecht wirtschaften' (to manage poorly), or 'sparsam wirtschaften' (to manage frugally).
Er hat gut gewirtschaftet und konnte das Unternehmen retten.
He managed things well and was able to save the company.
The meaning 'Unordnung machen' (to make a mess) is colloquial and has a slightly negative or reproachful undertone. It is often used when complaining about chaos.
Schau dir das Chaos an! Wer hat hier so gewirtschaftet?
Look at this chaos! Who made such a mess here?
to operate / pursue
Betreiben and wirtschaften can both be used with a restaurant or inn. Betreiben generally means that someone runs the business and keeps it going, while wirtschaften emphasizes the activity of being an innkeeper. Betreiben fits a neutral statement about the business; wirtschaften can fit the person behind the establishment.
Die Familie wirtschaftet seit mehr als zwanzig Jahren in dem Gasthaus.
The family has been working as innkeepers at the inn for more than twenty years.
Die Familie betreibt das Gasthaus seit mehr als zwanzig Jahren.
The family has been running the inn for more than twenty years.
