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A2 verb #6,500 más común 10 min de lectura

sortieren

Top 6,500

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos sortieren en 30 segundos

Explicación sortieren in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'sortieren' as a basic action verb. It is used for simple, everyday tasks. You might use it to talk about your hobbies or chores at home. At this stage, you should focus on the present tense: 'Ich sortiere.' You use it mainly for physical things like 'Fotos' (photos), 'Socken' (socks), or 'Bücher' (books). The sentences are usually short and direct. You don't need to worry about complex prepositions yet; just focus on the verb and the object. For example, 'Ich sortiere die Post' (I sort the mail). It is a very helpful word for describing what you are doing in the kitchen or in your room. You might also hear it in a classroom when a teacher says 'Sortiert die Wörter' (Sort the words). The goal at A1 is to understand that 'sortieren' means putting things into some kind of order or groups. It is a regular verb, so the endings are easy to remember: -e, -st, -t, -en, -t, -en. This makes it a great verb for beginners to practice their conjugation rules. Even at this early stage, you can start to see how important organization is in German-speaking cultures, and 'sortieren' is the first step in learning how to talk about that.

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At the A2 level, you start to expand how you use 'sortieren' by adding criteria. This is where the preposition 'nach' becomes important. You learn to say not just 'I sort the books,' but 'I sort the books by color' (Ich sortiere die Bücher nach Farben). At A2, you also learn the Perfekt tense, so you can talk about things you have already done: 'Ich habe gestern meinen Schrank sortiert' (I sorted my closet yesterday). You begin to see the word in more public contexts, like at the supermarket or the recycling station. You might also encounter the separable prefix version 'aussortieren,' which means to sort out or throw away things you don't need. This is very common when talking about 'Frühjahrsputz' (spring cleaning). You should also be able to understand simple instructions involving sorting, such as 'Bitte sortieren Sie diese Formulare alphabetisch.' The vocabulary around sorting also grows; you learn words like 'Größe' (size), 'Farbe' (color), 'Datum' (date), and 'Name' (name) to use with 'nach.' This level is about making your descriptions of organization more specific and useful in daily life situations, like at work or while doing errands.

At the B1 level, 'sortieren' moves beyond just physical objects and into the realm of information and simple abstract concepts. You might talk about 'Daten sortieren' (sorting data) on a computer or 'Gedanken sortieren' (sorting thoughts) when you are overwhelmed. You should be comfortable using 'sortieren' in various tenses, including the Präteritum (though it's less common for this verb than the Perfekt) and the Futur I. You also start to use reflexive constructions more naturally: 'Ich muss mich erst mal sortieren' (I need to get myself organized). At this stage, you can distinguish between 'sortieren' and its synonyms like 'ordnen' or 'einteilen.' You might use it in a professional context, such as 'Ich sortiere die Rechnungen nach dem Eingangsdatum' (I sort the invoices by the date they were received). You are also expected to understand the word in longer texts about environment, work, or lifestyle. For example, an article about 'Minimalismus' might use 'aussortieren' frequently. Your ability to explain *why* you are sorting something and *what system* you are using becomes more sophisticated. You can use connectors like 'weil' or 'damit' to expand your sentences: 'Ich sortiere die Dokumente, damit ich sie schneller finde.'

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At the B2 level, 'sortieren' is used in more complex professional and technical contexts. You might discuss 'Sortieralgorithmen' (sorting algorithms) in a technical discussion or 'Abfallsortierung' (waste sorting) in a debate about the environment. You are expected to use the word with more abstract nouns, such as 'Prioritäten sortieren' (sorting priorities) or 'Argumente sortieren' (sorting arguments). The nuances between 'sortieren,' 'klassifizieren,' and 'kategorisieren' become important. You can handle more complex sentence structures, such as passive voice: 'Die Daten werden nach verschiedenen Kriterien sortiert' (The data is being sorted according to various criteria). You also understand and use idiomatic expressions or more niche prefix verbs like 'umsortieren' (to re-sort) or 'einsortieren' (to file into). At B2, you should be able to write a clear report or give a presentation where you describe an organizational process using these terms. You might also encounter the word in psychological contexts, discussing how the brain 'sorts' information during sleep. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'sortieren' as a tool for structuring complex thoughts and workflows. You can also discuss the cultural implications of sorting in Germany, such as the efficiency of the 'Logistikbranche' (logistics industry).

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At the C1 level, you use 'sortieren' and its derivatives with high precision and stylistic variety. You might use the noun 'Sortierung' in formal writing, such as 'Die alphabetische Sortierung der Quellen ist zwingend erforderlich' (The alphabetical sorting of sources is mandatory). You are comfortable with the figurative and philosophical uses of the word. For example, you might discuss how a society 'sorts' its citizens into different social strata (soziale Schichtung). You can use 'sortieren' in highly formal registers, perhaps in a legal or academic context where 'Beweismittel sortiert werden' (evidence is being sorted). You understand the subtle differences in meaning when 'sortieren' is used in different fields, from linguistics to computer science to sociology. Your use of prefixes is flawless, and you can create complex compound words if necessary. You might analyze the 'Sortiertiefe' (depth of sorting) in a database or the 'Sortiergenauigkeit' (sorting accuracy) of a machine. At this level, the word is no longer just a verb for a chore; it's a concept you can manipulate to express complex organizational theories or to critique systems of order. You can also appreciate literary uses of the word, where an author might use 'sortieren' to describe a character's internal struggle to make sense of their life or memories.

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At the C2 level, 'sortieren' is a tool for masterful expression. You can use it in the most nuanced ways, perhaps in a philosophical treatise on the nature of order and chaos. You might explore the 'Ontologie des Sortierens'—how the act of categorizing things defines our reality. Your command of the language allows you to use the word in ironic or highly metaphorical ways. You could describe a politician 'sorting' their alliances or a poet 'sorting' the sounds of a language. You are familiar with the history of the word and its Latin roots, and you can use this knowledge to add depth to your writing. You can discuss complex logistical systems at a macro-economic level, where 'globale Warenströme sortiert werden.' In academic writing, you might critique the 'Kriterien der Sortierung' in a historical archive. You are also able to understand the most subtle puns or wordplay involving 'sortieren.' Whether you are writing a technical manual, a legal brief, or a piece of creative fiction, you use 'sortieren' and its related forms with the effortless precision of a highly educated native speaker. The word becomes a thread in the complex tapestry of your German communication, used to bring clarity, structure, and insight to any topic you address.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

sortieren en 30 segundos

The German verb 'sortieren' means 'to sort' or 'to categorize.' It is a regular (weak) verb used for physical objects, digital data, and mental organization.
It is frequently used with the preposition 'nach' followed by the dative case to specify the criteria, such as 'nach Alphabet' or 'nach Größe'.
Common prefixes include 'aussortieren' (to weed out/discard) and 'einsortieren' (to file away). It is essential for describing daily chores and professional administrative tasks.
Culturally, it reflects the German value of organization (Ordnung). It is distinct from 'ordnen,' which focuses more on tidiness and general order than specific grouping.

The German verb sortieren is a fundamental word that every learner should master early. At its core, it means 'to sort' or 'to categorize.' While it shares a Latin root with the English word, its application in German culture is perhaps even more prevalent due to the societal emphasis on organization and efficiency. You will encounter this word in almost every aspect of daily life, from the mundane task of doing laundry to the complex data management systems in a high-tech office. It implies a conscious effort to bring order to a chaotic set of items or information by applying a specific logic or criteria.

Physical Objects: The most common use involves physical items. Germans often speak about Wäsche sortieren (sorting laundry by color or temperature) or Post sortieren (sorting mail). In a country famous for its recycling systems, Müll sortieren (sorting trash) is a daily ritual that defines the German household experience.
Digital and Abstract Data: In the modern world, sortieren is indispensable for IT and office work. You might Dateien nach Datum sortieren (sort files by date) or E-Mails in Ordner sortieren (sort emails into folders). It describes the logical arrangement of data to make it searchable and useful.
Mental Processes: Interestingly, the word can also be used reflexively or figuratively. When someone says, 'Ich muss erst meine Gedanken sortieren' (I first have to sort my thoughts), they are expressing a need for mental clarity before making a decision or speaking. This usage highlights the transition from physical order to cognitive organization.

Könntest du bitte die Socken nach Farben sortieren? (Could you please sort the socks by color?)

Wir müssen die Dokumente alphabetisch sortieren. (We must sort the documents alphabetically.)

Der Computer sortiert die Daten automatisch. (The computer sorts the data automatically.)

Ich habe gestern meine alten Fotos sortiert. (I sorted my old photos yesterday.)

Lass uns die Karten erst einmal sortieren. (Let's sort the cards first.)

In a professional context, being able to 'sortieren' is often listed as a sub-skill of 'organisieren.' Whether you are working in logistics, where packages must be sorted by zip code, or in a library, where books are sorted by genre, the action remains the same: identifying a characteristic and placing the object in its designated spot. This systematic approach is a hallmark of German 'Gründlichkeit' (thoroughness). Even in social contexts, people might 'sortieren' their friends into groups (e.g., 'Arbeitskollegen,' 'Schulfreunde') when planning a large party. The word is versatile, clear, and essential for describing any process of bringing structure to a collection of things.

Using sortieren correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the prepositions that often accompany it. As a transitive verb, it almost always takes a direct object in the accusative case—the thing that is being sorted. For example, in 'Ich sortiere den Müll,' 'den Müll' is the accusative object. Furthermore, when you want to specify the criteria by which you are sorting, you typically use the preposition nach (after/by), which always triggers the dative case.

Sorting By Criteria (nach + Dativ): This is the most common sentence pattern. 'Wir sortieren die Bücher nach Autoren' (We sort the books by authors). Notice how 'nach' defines the sorting logic. Other common criteria include nach Größe (by size), nach Relevanz (by relevance), or nach Preis (by price).
Reflexive Use (sich sortieren): When a person needs a moment to gather themselves or their thoughts, they use the reflexive form. 'Ich muss mich erst mal sortieren' (I need to sort myself out first). This is very common in stressful situations or after receiving a lot of new information.
Prefix Variations: German loves prefixes! Aussortieren means to sort out or discard things you no longer need. Einsortieren means to file something away into an existing system. Umsortieren means to rearrange or re-sort something that was already sorted.

Kannst du die Liste bitte nach Datum sortieren? (Can you please sort the list by date?)

Ich habe heute meinen Kleiderschrank ausgesortiert. (I sorted out [threw away/donated] my wardrobe today.)

Bitte sortiere die neuen Belege in den blauen Ordner ein. (Please file the new receipts into the blue folder.)

When constructing sentences, remember that the criteria (the 'nach' part) usually comes after the direct object but before the verb in its final position (in subordinate clauses) or at the end of the main clause if the verb is in second position. For example: 'Er hat die Äpfel nach ihrer Qualität sortiert.' (He sorted the apples by their quality). If you are using modal verbs, 'sortieren' goes to the end in its infinitive form: 'Du musst die Dokumente sorgfältig sortieren.' Mastering these patterns will allow you to describe any organizational task with precision and ease, making your German sound more natural and structured.

You will encounter the word sortieren in a wide variety of social and professional settings in Germany. It is not just a 'textbook' word; it is a 'working' word. Understanding the context of where it is used will help you grasp the cultural nuances of German organization.

At Home and in the Neighborhood: The most common place to hear this is during household chores. Parents will tell their children: 'Sortiere dein Spielzeug!' (Sort your toys!). On the street, you might see signs at recycling centers saying: 'Bitte Glas nach Farben sortieren' (Please sort glass by color). This cultural obsession with sorting waste is one of the first things expats notice.
In the Workplace: In an office (Büro), 'sortieren' is everywhere. Whether it is sorting invoices (Rechnungen), customer data (Kundendaten), or physical mail (Post), the word is central to administrative work. In logistics centers like Amazon or DHL, 'Sortieranlagen' (sorting facilities) are the heart of the operation, and workers spend their entire shifts 'sortierend.'
In Digital Interfaces: Every time you use a German website or app, you will see a 'Sortieren' button or menu. It allows you to sort products by price (Preis), popularity (Beliebtheit), or newest (Neuheiten). If you are learning German for IT, knowing the algorithms for 'Sortieren' (like Quicksort or Mergesort) is essential terminology.

Im Supermarkt sind die Waren nach Kategorien sortiert. (In the supermarket, the goods are sorted by category.)

Die Bibliothekarin sortiert die zurückgegebenen Bücher. (The librarian sorts the returned books.)

Furthermore, in the context of education, teachers often ask students to 'Wörter nach Wortarten sortieren' (sort words by parts of speech). In science, biologists 'sortieren' species into taxonomies. The word is universal because the act of sorting is a fundamental human cognitive process. Whether you are at a flea market looking through 'sortierte' clothes or at a high-end gallery where art is 'chronologisch sortiert,' the word provides the necessary structure to describe how things are placed in relation to each other. It represents a transition from 'Chaos' to 'Ordnung,' a concept deeply valued in German-speaking cultures.

Even though sortieren seems straightforward, English speakers often make subtle mistakes by confusing it with similar German verbs or by using the wrong prepositions. Organization in German is a nuanced field with several specific verbs that are not always interchangeable.

Sortieren vs. Ordnen: This is the most frequent error. Ordnen means to put things in a neat order or to tidy up. If your room is messy, you 'ordnest' it. Sortieren, however, means to group things according to specific criteria. You can have a 'sortierten' pile of papers that is still 'unordentlich' (messy) if the piles are scattered everywhere. Use sortieren when there is a logic involved (like A-Z), and ordnen when the goal is neatness.
Sortieren vs. Trennen: Especially regarding recycling, learners often say 'Müll sortieren' (which is correct) but sometimes confuse it with trennen (to separate). While 'Müll trennen' is the standard idiomatic expression for recycling in Germany, 'sortieren' is also used. However, you 'trennst' (separate) a couple, you don't 'sortierst' them. 'Trennen' focuses on the act of pulling apart, while 'sortieren' focuses on the destination of the items.
The Preposition 'Nach': English speakers often want to use 'bei' or 'durch' to mean 'by.' For example, saying 'sortieren bei Größe' is incorrect. It must always be nach. 'Ich sortiere die Dokumente nach dem Datum.' Remember: 'nach' + Dative.

Falsch: Ich muss mein Zimmer sortieren.
Richtig: Ich muss mein Zimmer aufräumen oder ordnen.

Falsch: Sortiere die Liste durch Alphabet.
Richtig: Sortiere die Liste nach dem Alphabet.

Another mistake involves the reflexive usage. Learners often forget the 'sich' when they mean they need to get their own thoughts in order. Saying 'Ich muss sortieren' without an object sounds incomplete in German; the listener will ask 'Was?' (What?). If you mean yourself, you must say 'Ich muss mich sortieren.' Lastly, be careful with the past participle in the passive voice. 'Die E-Mails sind sortiert' (The emails are sorted) describes a state, whereas 'Die E-Mails werden sortiert' (The emails are being sorted) describes an ongoing action. Distinguishing these will significantly improve your grammatical accuracy.

While sortieren is the most versatile word for categorizing, German offers a rich palette of synonyms that can add precision to your speech. Choosing the right word depends on whether you are talking about physical objects, abstract ideas, or scientific classifications.

Ordnen: As mentioned before, ordnen focuses on creating a sequence or neatness. You 'ordnest' your books on a shelf so they look nice, but you 'sortierst' them if you put all the thrillers together and all the biographies together. Ordnen is about the result (order), sortieren is about the process (selection/grouping).
Gruppieren: This means 'to group.' It is often used in design or data analysis. You 'gruppierst' elements that belong together. It is very similar to 'sortieren' but implies creating clusters rather than a long ordered list.
Klassifizieren / Einteilen: Klassifizieren is more formal/academic, used for scientific taxonomy. Einteilen means to divide or allot. You 'teilst' your time 'ein' (manage your time), or you 'teilst' a group 'in zwei Teams ein' (split a group into two teams). Use einteilen when you are breaking a whole into parts.

Wir müssen die Patienten nach der Schwere ihrer Verletzungen einteilen (triage). (We must categorize the patients by the severity of their injuries.)

Die Software gruppiert ähnliche Suchergebnisse. (The software groups similar search results.)

In summary, while 'sortieren' is your 'go-to' verb for most situations, using 'ordnen' for tidying, 'gruppieren' for clustering, and 'einteilen' for dividing will make your German much more sophisticated. For example, a manager might 'die Aufgaben einteilen' (assign tasks), then 'die Prioritäten ordnen' (order priorities), and finally 'die Dokumente sortieren' (sort the documents). Each verb describes a different facet of organization. Understanding these distinctions allows you to navigate the highly structured world of German administration and daily life with the precision of a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word is related to 'resort' in English. In German, 'sortieren' sounds very modern and technical, but its roots are ancient, connected to how people used to decide their fate by drawing lots.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /zɔʁˈtiːʁən/

US /zɔrˈtiːrən/

The stress is on the second syllable: sor-TIE-ren.

Rima con

marschieren probieren studieren trainieren verlieren notieren passieren kapieren

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the initial 's' as a voiceless 's' (like 'snake') instead of a voiced 'z'.
Failing to lengthen the 'ie' sound.
Stressing the first syllable (SOR-tieren) instead of the second.
Pronouncing the 'r' too strongly like an English 'r'.
Swallowing the final 'n' too much.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

The word is easy to recognize because of its similarity to the English 'sort'.

Escritura 3/5

Conjugation is easy, but remembering to use 'nach' + dative requires practice.

Expresión oral 3/5

Pronunciation is key, especially the stress on the second syllable.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

ordnen machen die Farbe die Größe nach

Aprende después

aussortieren einsortieren die Ordnung kategorisieren die Struktur

Avanzado

klassifizieren systematisieren rubrizieren die Taxonomie die Logistik

Gramática que debes saber

Weak Verb Conjugation

Ich sortiere, du sortierst, er sortiert...

Preposition 'nach' + Dative

Ich sortiere nach dem Alphabet.

Separable Prefixes (aus-, ein-, um-)

Ich sortiere die alten Sachen aus.

Passive Voice with 'werden'

Die Briefe werden sortiert.

Nominalized Infinitives

Das Sortieren macht mir Spaß.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Ich sortiere die Fotos.

I sort the photos.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

Er sortiert die Socken.

He sorts the socks.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Wir sortieren die Bücher.

We sort the books.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Sortierst du die Post?

Are you sorting the mail?

Question form, 2nd person singular.

Sie sortieren das Obst.

They sort the fruit.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

Bitte sortiere die Stifte.

Please sort the pens.

Imperative (informal singular).

Ich sortiere gern meine CDs.

I like sorting my CDs.

Use of 'gern' to express liking an action.

Das Kind sortiert Steine.

The child sorts stones.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

Ich habe die Wäsche nach Farben sortiert.

I sorted the laundry by colors.

Perfekt tense with 'nach' + dative plural.

Können Sie die Dokumente alphabetisch sortieren?

Can you sort the documents alphabetically?

Modal verb 'können' + adverb 'alphabetisch'.

Wir müssen den Müll sorgfältig sortieren.

We must sort the trash carefully.

Modal verb 'müssen' + adverb 'sorgfältig'.

Er sortiert seine Kleidung aus.

He is sorting out his clothes.

Separable verb 'aussortieren'.

Die Schülerin sortiert die Wörter nach Wortarten.

The student sorts the words by parts of speech.

Preposition 'nach' + dative plural.

Gestern habe ich meine E-Mails sortiert.

Yesterday I sorted my emails.

Perfekt tense with time indicator 'gestern'.

Sortieren Sie die Karten nach Zahlen.

Sort the cards by numbers.

Imperative (formal).

Mein Bruder sortiert seine Münzsammlung.

My brother sorts his coin collection.

Possessive pronoun 'seine'.

Bevor ich antworte, muss ich meine Gedanken sortieren.

Before I answer, I have to sort my thoughts.

Reflexive use (figurative) in a subordinate clause.

Die Dateien wurden nach dem Datum sortiert.

The files were sorted by date.

Passive voice (Zustandspassiv).

Es ist wichtig, die Belege direkt in den Ordner einzusortieren.

It is important to file the receipts directly into the folder.

Infinitiv mit 'zu' using the separable verb 'einsortieren'.

Ich habe mich heute endlich dazu durchgerungen, den Keller zu sortieren.

Today I finally brought myself to sort the basement.

Complex sentence with 'dazu durchringen' and 'zu' + infinitive.

Könnten Sie die Liste nach Relevanz sortieren?

Could you sort the list by relevance?

Konjunktiv II for polite requests.

Nachdem er die Briefe sortiert hatte, ging er zur Post.

After he had sorted the letters, he went to the post office.

Plusquamperfekt in a 'nachdem' clause.

Wir sollten die Probleme nach ihrer Dringlichkeit sortieren.

We should sort the problems by their urgency.

Modal verb 'sollten' + 'nach' + dative feminine noun.

Die Software hilft dabei, große Datenmengen zu sortieren.

The software helps in sorting large amounts of data.

Structure 'helfen dabei, ... zu ...'.

Die automatisierte Sortieranlage arbeitet hocheffizient.

The automated sorting facility works highly efficiently.

Use of the noun 'Sortieranlage' (compound noun).

Es fällt mir schwer, meine Prioritäten beruflich zu sortieren.

I find it difficult to sort my professional priorities.

Phrase 'es fällt mir schwer' + infinitive clause.

Die Proben müssen im Labor nach verschiedenen Kriterien sortiert werden.

The samples must be sorted in the laboratory according to various criteria.

Passive voice with modal verb (Vorgangspassiv).

Bevor wir das Projekt starten, müssen wir die Zuständigkeiten sortieren.

Before we start the project, we need to sort out the responsibilities.

Figurative use in a business context.

Die aussortierten Waren werden an wohltätige Organisationen gespendet.

The sorted-out goods are donated to charitable organizations.

Participle II used as an adjective ('aussortierten').

In diesem Algorithmus werden die Zahlen aufsteigend sortiert.

In this algorithm, the numbers are sorted in ascending order.

Technical terminology 'aufsteigend' (ascending).

Man muss die Fakten von den Meinungen sortieren.

One must sort the facts from the opinions.

Use of 'von' to show separation during sorting.

Die Bibliothek hat ihre Bestände nach Genres neu sortiert.

The library has re-sorted its holdings by genre.

Perfekt tense with 'neu' (prefix-like adverb).

Die akribische Sortierung der Archivalien beanspruchte mehrere Monate.

The meticulous sorting of the archives took several months.

Nominalization 'Sortierung' and elevated vocabulary 'akribisch', 'Archivalien'.

Es gilt, die Spreu vom Weizen zu sortieren, um die besten Bewerber zu finden.

It is necessary to sort the wheat from the chaff to find the best applicants.

Idiomatic expression 'Spreu vom Weizen trennen/sortieren'.

Die soziologische Studie sortiert die Probanden nach ihrem Bildungsgrad.

The sociological study categorizes the subjects according to their level of education.

Academic context, 'nach' + dative singular.

In der Logistikbranche ist die präzise Sortierung das A und O.

In the logistics industry, precise sorting is the alpha and omega (everything).

Idiom 'das A und O'.

Die Gedankenwelt des Autors wirkt oft unsortiert und chaotisch.

The author's world of thought often seems unsorted and chaotic.

Adjective 'unsortiert' (negated participle).

Wir müssen die Argumente der Gegenseite erst einmal inhaltlich sortieren.

We first have to sort the opposing side's arguments in terms of content.

Adverbial use of 'inhaltlich'.

Die Software ermöglicht eine Sortierung nach beliebig vielen Parametern.

The software allows sorting according to any number of parameters.

Use of 'beliebig' (arbitrary/any).

Durch das Sortieren der alten Briefe kamen längst vergessene Erinnerungen hoch.

By sorting the old letters, long-forgotten memories surfaced.

Gerund-like use of 'Durch das Sortieren' (nominalized infinitive).

Die philosophische Abhandlung hinterfragt die Kriterien, nach denen wir unsere Wahrnehmung sortieren.

The philosophical treatise questions the criteria by which we sort our perception.

Complex relative clause 'nach denen...'.

Die Evolution sortiert unerbittlich jene Merkmale aus, die keinen Überlebensvorteil bieten.

Evolution relentlessly sorts out those traits that offer no survival advantage.

Metaphorical use of 'aussortieren' in a scientific context.

In seinem Spätwerk versucht der Komponist, die klanglichen Fragmente neu zu sortieren.

In his late work, the composer attempts to re-sort the tonal fragments.

Artistic/abstract context.

Die schiere Masse an Informationen macht es unmöglich, das Relevante vom Irrelevanten zu sortieren.

The sheer mass of information makes it impossible to sort the relevant from the irrelevant.

Nominalized adjectives 'das Relevante', 'das Irrelevante'.

Die bürokratische Sortierung von Menschen in Kategorien wird oft als entmenschlichend empfunden.

The bureaucratic sorting of people into categories is often perceived as dehumanizing.

Passive voice with 'wird... empfunden' and complex nominal subject.

Man kann die Geschichte der Menschheit als einen ständigen Versuch begreifen, das Chaos zu sortieren.

One can understand the history of mankind as a constant attempt to sort the chaos.

Infinitive construction with 'als'.

Die künstliche Intelligenz sortiert die Bilddaten mit einer Präzision, die menschliche Fähigkeiten übersteigt.

The artificial intelligence sorts the image data with a precision that exceeds human capabilities.

Advanced relative clause 'die... übersteigt'.

Es bedarf einer intellektuellen Anstrengung, die verschiedenen Strömungen der Moderne zu sortieren.

It requires an intellectual effort to sort the various currents of modernity.

Formal structure 'Es bedarf einer...'.

Colocaciones comunes

nach Alphabet sortieren

nach Datum sortieren

Müll sortieren

Wäsche sortieren

Gedanken sortieren

nach Größe sortieren

nach Preis sortieren

alphabetisch sortieren

chronologisch sortieren

thematisch sortieren

Frases Comunes

etwas grob sortieren

— To sort something roughly or into broad categories. Used when a detailed sort isn't necessary yet.

Ich habe die Post erst mal grob sortiert.

neu sortieren

— To re-sort or reorganize something. Used when the current order is no longer useful.

Wir müssen die Strategie neu sortieren.

streng nach... sortieren

— To sort strictly according to a specific rule. Implies high precision.

Die Akten sind streng nach Aktenzeichen sortiert.

automatisch sortieren

— To sort automatically. Usually refers to software or machines.

Der Spam-Filter sortiert die Nachrichten automatisch.

manuell sortieren

— To sort by hand. Contrasts with automatic sorting.

Diese Briefe müssen wir manuell sortieren.

nach Kategorien sortieren

— To sort by categories. A very general and useful phrase.

Sortieren Sie die Ausgaben nach Kategorien.

sorgfältig sortieren

— To sort carefully. Emphasizes the effort and accuracy.

Die Beweise wurden sorgfältig sortiert.

falsch sortiert

— Sorted incorrectly. Used when an item is in the wrong place.

Dieses Buch ist falsch sortiert; es gehört zu den Romanen.

nach Priorität sortieren

— To sort by priority. Essential for time management.

Sortiere deine Aufgaben nach Priorität.

in Ordner sortieren

— To sort into folders. Common in both physical and digital offices.

Ich sortiere die Dokumente in die blauen Ordner.

Se confunde a menudo con

sortieren vs ordnen

Ordnen is about tidiness; sortieren is about categorization.

sortieren vs trennen

Trennen means to separate; sortieren means to put in order/groups.

sortieren vs einteilen

Einteilen means to divide or allot; sortieren means to arrange by criteria.

Modismos y expresiones

"seine Gedanken sortieren"

— To collect one's thoughts or get mental clarity. Used before a big decision or speech.

Ich brauche einen Moment, um meine Gedanken zu sortieren.

neutral

"die Spreu vom Weizen sortieren"

— To separate the good from the bad (wheat from the chaff). Used for people or ideas.

In der ersten Runde sortieren wir die Spreu vom Weizen.

literary/idiomatic

"sich neu sortieren"

— To reinvent oneself or find a new direction in life after a setback.

Nach der Kündigung musste er sich erst mal neu sortieren.

colloquial

"das Feld sortieren"

— To narrow down the competition or clarify a situation in a group.

Nach dem ersten Rennen hat sich das Feld sortiert.

sports/journalistic

"die Karten neu sortieren"

— To change the situation or start over with a new strategy (re-shuffling the deck).

Durch die Fusion werden die Karten in der Branche neu sortiert.

business/political

"etwas im Kopf sortieren"

— To organize information mentally without writing it down.

Ich habe die Fakten schon im Kopf sortiert.

neutral

"aus dem Raster sortiert werden"

— To be excluded because one doesn't fit the specific criteria (often negative/bureaucratic).

Viele Bewerber wurden sofort aus dem Raster sortiert.

formal

"die Prioritäten sortieren"

— To decide what is most important. A very common professional idiom.

Wir müssen erst unsere Prioritäten sortieren, bevor wir Geld ausgeben.

neutral

"alles in Schubladen sortieren"

— To pigeonhole everything or think in stereotypes (sorting things into drawers).

Er versucht immer, Menschen in Schubladen zu sortieren.

critical/colloquial

"sich erst mal sortieren müssen"

— To be overwhelmed and need a moment to recover or understand a situation.

Das war ein Schock, ich muss mich erst mal sortieren.

colloquial

Fácil de confundir

sortieren vs die Sorte

Similar sound and root.

Die Sorte is the noun meaning 'kind' or 'type'. Sortieren is the verb for the action of organizing.

Welche Sorte Äpfel soll ich sortieren?

sortieren vs servieren

Ends in -ieren.

Servieren means to serve (food/drinks). Sortieren means to sort.

Erst sortieren wir das Obst, dann servieren wir es.

sortieren vs studieren

Ends in -ieren.

Studieren means to study at a university. Sortieren means to sort.

Ich studiere Informatik und lerne, wie man Daten sortiert.

sortieren vs notieren

Ends in -ieren.

Notieren means to take notes. Sortieren means to sort.

Ich notiere die Namen und sortiere sie dann.

sortieren vs passieren

Ends in -ieren.

Passieren means to happen. Sortieren means to sort.

Was passiert, wenn wir die Dateien falsch sortieren?

Patrones de oraciones

Ich sortiere [Akkusativ Objekt].

Ich sortiere die Fotos.

Ich sortiere [Akkusativ Objekt] nach [Dativ Kriterium].

Ich sortiere die Bücher nach Farben.

Ich muss mich erst mal sortieren.

Ich habe [Akkusativ Objekt] [aus/ein]sortiert.

Ich habe die alten Kleider aussortiert.

[Subjekt] wird nach [Dativ Kriterium] sortiert.

Die Liste wird nach dem Preis sortiert.

Die Sortierung von [Genitiv Objekt] ist wichtig.

Die Sortierung der Dokumente ist wichtig.

Es gilt, [Akkusativ] zu sortieren.

Es gilt, die Argumente zu sortieren.

Eine [Adjektiv] Sortierung [Verb]...

Eine akribische Sortierung ermöglicht tiefere Einblicke.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

die Sortierung (sorting/arrangement)

der Sortierer (sorter - person or machine)

die Sorte (kind/type/variety)

das Sortiment (assortment/range of products)

die Sortieranlage (sorting facility)

Verbos

aussortieren (to sort out/discard)

einsortieren (to file/insert into an order)

umsortieren (to re-sort)

vorsortieren (to pre-sort)

durchsortieren (to sort through completely)

Adjetivos

sortiert (sorted/organized)

unsortiert (unsorted/chaotic)

sortenrein (of a single variety/pure)

sortierbar (sortable)

Relacionado

die Ordnung

das System

die Kategorie

die Klassifizierung

die Auswahl

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written German.

Errores comunes

Ich sortiere mein Zimmer. → Ich räume mein Zimmer auf.
You 'sort' items within a room, but you 'tidy up' (aufräumen) the room itself.
Sortieren bei Alphabet. → Sortieren nach dem Alphabet.
The preposition for 'by' in the context of sorting is always 'nach'.
Ich muss Gedanken sortieren. → Ich muss meine Gedanken sortieren.
In German, you usually need a possessive pronoun with 'Gedanken' in this context.
Die Dokumente sind nach Datum sortieren. → Die Dokumente sind nach Datum sortiert.
Use the past participle 'sortiert' for the passive state, not the infinitive.
Ich habe die Kleidung aus-sortiert. → Ich habe die Kleidung ausgesortiert.
In the Perfekt tense, the '-ge-' goes between the prefix and the verb root: aus-ge-sortiert.

Consejos

Master the 'nach' + Dative rule

Whenever you use 'sortieren' with a criterion, use 'nach'. Remember that 'nach' always takes the dative. So, 'nach dem Alphabet' (masculine), 'nach der Größe' (feminine), 'nach den Farben' (plural).

Learn the prefixes

Prefixes like 'aus-' (out) and 'ein-' (in) are very common. 'Aussortieren' is essential for cleaning, and 'einsortieren' is essential for office work. They are both separable verbs.

Recycling is sorting

In Germany, 'Müll sortieren' is a social responsibility. Knowing this word will help you understand your neighbors and the signs at recycling centers.

Use it for mental clarity

If you are lost for words in German, say 'Ich muss meine Gedanken sortieren.' It's a polite and natural way to buy yourself some time to think.

Change your UI to German

Look for the 'Sortieren' menu in your email or file explorer. Seeing it in action will reinforce the meaning of 'nach Datum' or 'nach Name'.

Use adverbs

Instead of always using 'nach...', you can use adverbs like 'alphabetisch', 'chronologisch', or 'thematisch'. This makes your writing more varied.

The '-ieren' rule

Most German verbs ending in '-ieren' are of Latin origin and are regular. They also don't take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle if the stress is on the '-ier' (though 'sortiert' is the standard form).

Logistics terminology

If you work in logistics, 'Sortiergeschwindigkeit' (sorting speed) and 'Sortierfehler' (sorting error) are key terms to know.

Laundry day

Practice the verb while doing laundry. 'Ich sortiere die weiße Wäsche.' It's a simple way to integrate the word into your routine.

B1/B2 exams

Sorting and organizing are common topics in speaking exams. Use 'sortieren' to describe how you manage your time or study materials.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'SORTER'. When you 'SORTIEREN', you act like a 'SORTER' putting things in their 'TIER' (level/category).

Asociación visual

Visualize a giant machine with many arms putting colorful balls into matching colored boxes. Each box has a label: 'SORTIEREN'.

Word Web

Müll Post Wäsche Daten Gedanken alphabetisch chronologisch Ordner

Desafío

Go to your desk right now. Pick five items and say out loud: 'Ich sortiere diese Gegenstände nach [Criteria].' For example: 'Ich sortiere diese Stifte nach ihrer Länge.'

Origen de la palabra

Borrowed in the 16th century from the Italian verb 'sortire' (to choose, to go out), which comes from the Latin 'sortiri' (to draw lots).

Significado original: The original Latin root 'sors' (lot/fate) implies a selection by chance or destiny, which evolved into the systematic selection and grouping we know today.

Indo-European (Latin -> Romance -> Germanic borrowing).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'sortieren' to describe people, as it can sound cold or bureaucratic (like 'sorting' people into classes).

English speakers often use 'organize' or 'tidy up' where Germans might specifically use 'sortieren.' English is sometimes less specific about the *method* of organization.

The term 'Sortieralgorithmus' in computer science (e.g., Quicksort). The 'Mülltrennung' system in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The song 'Gedanken sortieren' by various German indie artists.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Household Chores

Wäsche sortieren
Müll sortieren
Spielzeug sortieren
den Schrank aussortieren

Office Administration

Belege sortieren
E-Mails sortieren
nach Alphabet sortieren
in Ordner einsortieren

IT and Data

Daten sortieren
Sortieralgorithmus
aufsteigend sortieren
absteigend sortieren

Logistics and Shipping

Pakete sortieren
nach Postleitzahl sortieren
Sortieranlage
Vorsortierung

Psychology / Mental Health

Gedanken sortieren
Prioritäten sortieren
sich neu sortieren
Eindrücke sortieren

Inicios de conversación

"Wie sortierst du normalerweise deine E-Mails?"

"Sortierst du deinen Müll zu Hause sehr streng?"

"Musst du oft deine Gedanken sortieren, bevor du eine wichtige Entscheidung triffst?"

"Hast du schon mal deine Kleidung nach der KonMari-Methode sortiert?"

"Welche Kriterien sind dir am wichtigsten, wenn du deine Aufgaben sortierst?"

Temas para diario

Schreibe über einen Tag, an dem du versucht hast, dein Leben neu zu sortieren. Was hast du getan?

Warum ist das Sortieren von Informationen in der heutigen digitalen Welt so wichtig?

Beschreibe den Prozess, wie man in deinem Heimatland den Müll sortiert.

Wie sortierst du deine Prioritäten, wenn du sehr viel Stress hast?

Stell dir vor, du arbeitest in einer riesigen Bibliothek. Wie würdest du die Bücher sortieren?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, it is not mandatory. You can simply say 'Ich sortiere die Post.' However, if you want to specify how you are sorting (e.g., by date), you must use 'nach' + Dative. For example: 'Ich sortiere die Post nach dem Datum.'

'Sortieren' is the general act of organizing. 'Aussortieren' specifically means to select items to be removed or discarded. For example, when you 'sort' your closet, you might 'aussortieren' the clothes that no longer fit.

Technically yes, but be careful. In a bureaucratic context (like 'sorting applicants'), it's neutral. In a social context, it can sound cold or dehumanizing, as if you are treating people like objects.

In German, you say 'aufsteigend sortieren.' For descending order, it is 'absteigend sortieren.' This is very common in IT and mathematics.

Yes, 'sortieren' is a weak (regular) verb. Its forms are: sortiere, sortierte, hat sortiert. This makes it very easy to use in all tenses.

Not really. 'Aufräumen' means to tidy up a room. 'Sortieren' means to put things in a specific order. You might 'sortieren' your books while you 'aufräumen' your room, but they are different actions.

It means 'to collect one's thoughts.' If someone asks you a difficult question, you can say, 'Moment, ich muss mich erst mal sortieren,' which means you need a second to think before answering.

'Müllsortierung' is the noun for waste sorting. It refers to the process of separating different types of trash (paper, plastic, glass) for recycling, which is a big part of life in Germany.

A 'Sortieranlage' is a sorting facility or plant. It's often used in the context of mail (post office) or recycling centers where machines sort items automatically.

For 'du': Sortiere! For 'ihr': Sortiert! For 'Sie': Sortieren Sie! For example: 'Sortiert bitte eure Spielsachen!'

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