to postpone / put back
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to postpone
To move something to a later point in time; to put something off.
Wir müssen unsere Reisepläne wegen der aktuellen Lage leider zurückstellen.
Unfortunately, we have to postpone our travel plans because of the current situation.
to put back
To put or place an object back in its original place.
Bitte stell das Buch nach dem Lesen wieder ins Regal zurück.
Please put the book back on the shelf after reading it.
to set back
To set a clock or counter to an earlier time or a lower value.
Im Herbst müssen wir die Uhren um eine Stunde zurückstellen.
In the fall, we have to set the clocks back by one hour.
to put oneself second
To neglect one's own wishes, needs, or interests in favor of other people or things.
Als Teamkapitän musste er sich oft persönlich zurückstellen, um die Mannschaft zu unterstützen.
As team captain, he often had to put himself second in order to support the team.
'Zurückstellen' (to postpone / put back) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zurück' stands at the end of the sentence in a main clause. In subordinate clauses, the whole verb stands at the end.
Stellst du die Milch bitte in den Kühlschrank zurück?
Could you put the milk back in the fridge, please?
The difference between 'verschieben' (to postpone) and 'an den Platz legen' (to put back in its place) becomes clear through the object. Abstract things like 'Pläne' (plans), 'Wünsche' (wishes), or 'eine Entscheidung' (a decision) are postponed. Concrete objects like 'ein Buch' (a book) or 'eine Tasse' (a cup) are put back in their place.
Er musste seine persönlichen Interessen für das Projekt zurückstellen.
He had to put his personal interests aside for the project.
The expression 'sich zurückstellen' means to voluntarily put one's own needs or wishes behind those of others. It is always used with a reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, etc.).
Gute Eltern stellen sich oft für ihre Kinder zurück.
Good parents often put themselves second for their children.
In the meaning 'eine Uhr einstellen' (to set a clock), this verb is used almost exclusively in the context of the time change in the fall, when the clocks are set back by one hour.
Vergiss nicht, am Wochenende die Uhr eine Stunde zurückzustellen.
Don't forget to set the clock back by one hour this weekend.
to park
Both words can express that a task or idea will only be worked on again later. „Parken“ is a rather informal organizational metaphor that keeps something provisionally available, while „zurückstellen“ sounds more neutral and places greater emphasis on postponement or a priority decision. „Parken“ often fits in conversation, while „zurückstellen“ is suitable for neutral planning.
Wegen des dringenden Problems müssen wir diese Idee zunächst zurückstellen.
Because of the urgent problem, we have to postpone this idea for now.
Wir parken diese Idee zunächst und besprechen sie in der nächsten Sitzung.
We’ll park this idea for now and discuss it at the next meeting.
