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B1 verb #4,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

evaluieren

to evaluate, assess systematically or judge

At the A1 level, 'evaluieren' is not a word you need to use. It is too formal and complex. Instead, you use simple words like 'gut finden' (to find good) or 'schlecht finden' (to find bad). If you want to say you are checking something, you use 'sehen' (to see) or 'schauen' (to look). For example, instead of 'evaluating the food', you would say 'Das Essen ist gut'. However, it is good to know that this word exists because it looks like the English word 'evaluate', so you might recognize it if you see it in a document. Just remember: at this stage, focus on basic verbs for expressing opinions.
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At the A2 level, you might start seeing 'evaluieren' in formal letters or simple news reports. You still don't need to speak it often. You should use 'prüfen' (to check) or 'testen' (to test) instead. For example, 'Ich prüfe die Hausaufgaben' is better for A2 than 'Ich evaluiere die Hausaufgaben'. You should understand that 'evaluieren' means to check something very carefully, usually in a job or school. If you see the word, think of it as a 'professional check'. You might notice it in the context of school grades or a simple project at work.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle professional and academic topics. This is where 'evaluieren' becomes useful. You should be able to use it to describe processes at work or in your studies. For example, 'Wir müssen das Projekt evaluieren' (We must evaluate the project). You should understand that it is more formal than 'bewerten'. This is the level where you start distinguishing between different types of 'checking'. You use 'kontrollieren' for simple checks, 'prüfen' for more serious checks, and 'evaluieren' for systematic assessments. It is a great word to use in your B1 speaking exam to show you have a sophisticated vocabulary.
At the B2 level, you should use 'evaluieren' naturally in formal discussions. You should know its grammatical quirks, like the fact that it doesn't take 'ge-' in the past participle ('hat evaluiert'). You should also be able to use it with abstract nouns like 'Wirksamkeit' (effectiveness), 'Effizienz' (efficiency), or 'Nachhaltigkeit' (sustainability). At this level, you use 'evaluieren' to structure your arguments in essays or presentations. For example: 'Zuerst müssen wir die Ausgangslage analysieren und dann die möglichen Lösungen evaluieren.' This shows you understand the logical flow of a professional assessment.
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At the C1 level, you use 'evaluieren' as part of a nuanced set of verbs. You distinguish it from 'begutachten' (to expertize), 'sondieren' (to probe), and 'rezensieren' (to review). You use it in complex sentence structures, such as passive constructions or with 'zu' infinitives. You also understand the noun form 'Evaluierung' and 'Evaluation' and can use them in academic writing. You might discuss the 'Methodik der Evaluierung' (methodology of evaluation). At this level, you don't just 'evaluate'; you evaluate 'kritisch', 'ergebnisoffen' (with an open mind), or 'umfassend' (comprehensively).
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At the C2 level, 'evaluieren' is a basic tool in your linguistic arsenal. You use it with precision in highly specialized fields like law, medicine, or philosophy. You are aware of the subtle differences between 'Evaluation' (the field/process) and 'Evaluierung' (the specific act). You can use the word in sophisticated stylistic ways, perhaps using it metaphorically or in high-level debates about public policy. You understand the historical and Latin roots of the word and how it fits into the broader context of 'Fremdwörter' (foreign words) in the German language. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.
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Exemples

evaluieren en 30 secondes

  • A formal verb meaning 'to evaluate' or 'to assess systematically'.
  • Used primarily in professional, academic, and scientific contexts.
  • Does not use the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle (hat evaluiert).
  • Implies a data-driven process rather than just a personal opinion.

The German verb evaluieren is a high-level, formal term that English speakers will find familiar, as it directly corresponds to the English 'to evaluate'. However, its usage in German is strictly bound to systematic, professional, or academic contexts. Unlike the more general word 'bewerten' (to rate or judge), evaluieren implies a structured process of assessment based on specific data, criteria, or scientific methods. When you use this word, you are signaling that the judgment is not just a personal opinion but the result of a thorough investigation.

Academic Context
In universities, professors and researchers use this word to describe the process of checking the validity of an experiment or the effectiveness of a teaching method. It is the gold standard for scientific assessment.

Die Wissenschaftler müssen die neuen Daten erst gründlich evaluieren, bevor sie publiziert werden.

In the corporate world, evaluieren is used during project management cycles. After a project is finished, a team will sit down to 'evaluate' whether the goals were met and what the return on investment was. It is also frequently heard in Human Resources when discussing the performance of employees over a long period. It suggests a certain level of objectivity and distance from the subject being assessed.

Political Context
Governments often 'evaluieren' new laws to see if they are actually working as intended. This usually involves a written report or a commission of experts.

Das Ministerium wird die Auswirkungen der Reform nach zwei Jahren evaluieren.

Furthermore, the word is inseparable from the concept of 'Qualitätssicherung' (quality assurance). In any modern German organization, nothing is simply 'done'; it is planned, executed, and then evaluiert. This cycle ensures continuous improvement. The word carries a weight of authority and suggests that the person speaking is looking at the big picture rather than just the immediate details.

Technical Nuance
In software development, developers might evaluate a new framework or library to see if it fits the project requirements. It is about technical feasibility and performance metrics.

Wir evaluieren derzeit verschiedene Software-Lösungen für unser Team.

Es ist wichtig, den Lernfortschritt der Schüler regelmäßig zu evaluieren.

Using evaluieren correctly requires understanding its grammatical environment. It is a transitive verb, meaning it almost always takes a direct object in the accusative case. You are always evaluating *something*. Because it is an '-ieren' verb, it does not take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle (Partizip II), so it becomes 'evaluiert' rather than 'geevaluiert'. This is a common point of confusion for students who over-apply the 'ge-' rule.

Present Tense
Standard usage for ongoing processes. 'Die Kommission evaluiert die Bewerbungen.' (The commission is evaluating the applications.)

Ich evaluiere die Optionen.

When using the perfect tense, you use the auxiliary verb 'haben'. For example: 'Wir haben das Programm evaluiert.' This is the most common way to speak about a completed assessment. In formal writing, such as a thesis or a business report, you might use the passive voice to emphasize the object: 'Die Ergebnisse wurden von Experten evaluiert.' (The results were evaluated by experts.) This adds a layer of professionalism and objectivity.

Passive Voice
Often used in reports. 'Das Projekt wird jährlich evaluiert.' (The project is evaluated annually.)

Die Studie muss noch evaluiert werden.

Another important aspect is the use of adverbs. Since evaluieren is a methodical action, it is frequently paired with adverbs like 'systematisch' (systematically), 'kritisch' (critically), 'gründlich' (thoroughly), or 'objektiv' (objectively). These pairings reinforce the professional nature of the verb. If you say 'Ich evaluiere das schnell' (I am evaluating that quickly), it sounds a bit contradictory because evaluation usually takes time and care.

Infinitive with 'zu'
Common in goal-setting. 'Unser Ziel ist es, die Effizienz zu evaluieren.' (Our goal is to evaluate efficiency.)

Es ist schwierig, den Erfolg dieser Maßnahme zu evaluieren.

Finally, consider the modal verbs. 'Wir müssen evaluieren' (We must evaluate) suggests a requirement, often legal or organizational. 'Wir können evaluieren' (We can evaluate) suggests a possibility or a capability. In a professional German setting, suggesting to 'evaluieren' something is often seen as a sign of competence and diligence.

Könnten Sie bitte die Risiken dieses Plans evaluieren?

If you are living in Germany, you might not hear evaluieren at the bakery or the supermarket, but it is everywhere in the news, in offices, and in educational institutions. It is a 'Bildungswort' (a word of education/culture). In the German news (Tagesschau or ZDF Heute), you will hear it when politicians talk about the success of social programs or the integration of refugees. They don't just say 'we'll see if it works'; they say 'we will evaluate the measures'.

The Workplace
In meetings, specifically during the 'Nachbereitung' (follow-up) of a project. Colleagues will discuss how to evaluate the feedback from clients.

Wir werden die Rückmeldungen der Kunden nächste Woche evaluieren.

In schools and universities, 'Lehrenevaluation' is a standard process. At the end of every semester, students are asked to fill out forms to 'evaluate' the quality of the teaching. This is a very specific and common use of the word that every student in Germany knows. You will also see it in academic papers, where the methodology section often describes how data was 'evaluiert'.

Non-Profit & NGOs
Organizations that receive public funding must evaluate their impact to justify their spending. 'Wirkungsevaluation' is a buzzword here.

Die NGO muss ihren Einfluss auf die Region evaluieren.

Another place is the medical field. Before a new treatment becomes standard, it must be evaluated in clinical trials. Doctors and medical journals use evaluieren to describe the rigorous process of checking side effects and efficacy. It conveys a sense of safety and scientific rigor. If a doctor says a treatment is being 'evaluiert', it means it’s still in the testing phase.

Public Administration
German bureaucracy is famous for its processes. Any new administrative procedure will be evaluated for efficiency (Effizienz) and transparency (Transparenz).

Die Stadtverwaltung wird das neue Verkehrskonzept evaluieren.

Man muss die langfristigen Folgen dieser Entscheidung evaluieren.

One of the most frequent mistakes is using evaluieren in contexts that are too casual. For example, you wouldn't 'evaluieren' a cake that your friend baked. In that case, you would 'probieren' (taste) or 'bewerten' (rate). Using evaluieren for trivial things can sound sarcastic or unintentionally arrogant. It’s like using a microscope to look at a sandwich.

Mistake 1: The 'ge-' Prefix
Learners often say 'Ich habe geevaluiert'. This is incorrect. German verbs that end in '-ieren' (mostly of foreign origin) never take the 'ge-' prefix in the perfect tense. The correct form is 'Ich habe evaluiert'.

Wir haben das Projekt geevaluiert.

Wir haben das Projekt evaluiert.

Another mistake is confusing evaluieren with analysieren. While they are related, they are not identical. 'Analysieren' is about breaking something down into its parts to understand it. 'Evaluieren' is about making a value judgment based on that understanding. You might analyze the data *in order to* evaluate the project. Using them interchangeably can make your argument sound fuzzy.

Mistake 2: Overusing it
Some learners use 'evaluieren' for every kind of checking. If you are just checking if the door is locked, use 'prüfen' or 'kontrollieren'. 'Evaluieren' requires a system or criteria.

Ich evaluiere, ob ich noch Milch habe.

Ich prüfe, ob ich noch Milch habe.

A subtle mistake is the preposition choice. In English, we sometimes say 'evaluate on', but in German, evaluieren is usually direct. You don't 'evaluieren über' something; you just 'evaluieren' the thing. However, you can say 'hinsichtlich' (with regard to) to specify the criteria. 'Wir evaluieren das Projekt hinsichtlich seiner Kosten.' (We are evaluating the project with regard to its costs.)

Mistake 3: Pronunciation
English speakers often put the stress on the wrong syllable. In German, the stress is on the 'ie' at the end: eva-lu-IE-ren. Getting this right is crucial for sounding natural.

Man muss die Situation objektiv evaluieren.

Wir müssen die Risiken sorgfältig evaluieren.

German has a rich vocabulary for 'judging' or 'checking'. While evaluieren is the most formal and systematic, you should know its cousins to choose the right nuance for your conversation. The most common alternative is bewerten. This is used for giving grades in school, rating a product on Amazon, or giving a general opinion. It is less 'scientific' than evaluieren but very common.

bewerten vs. evaluieren
'Bewerten' is giving a score (like 4/5 stars). 'Evaluieren' is the whole process of research that leads to that score.

Kunden bewerten das Produkt, aber die Firma evaluiert das Kundenfeedback.

Then there is beurteilen. This verb focuses on the person doing the judging. It implies a certain level of expertise or authority. A judge 'beurteilt' a case; a critic 'beurteilt' an art piece. It is more subjective than evaluieren but more formal than finden. Use it when you want to emphasize your personal professional judgment.

beurteilen
Focuses on the expert's opinion. 'Der Arzt beurteilt den Zustand des Patienten.'

Es ist schwer zu beurteilen, wer recht hat.

Another useful word is einschätzen. This is closer to 'estimate' or 'assess'. It’s often used for situations or risks where you don’t have all the facts yet. 'Wie schätzt du die Lage ein?' (How do you assess the situation?) is a very common phrase in both business and private life. It sounds more natural and less clinical than evaluieren.

prüfen / untersuchen
'Prüfen' is to check if something is correct. 'Untersuchen' is to investigate. Both are steps within an 'Evaluierung'.

Wir müssen die Ursachen untersuchen, um das Problem zu evaluieren.

Finally, for a more 'down-to-earth' business context, you might hear unter die Lupe nehmen (to take under the magnifying glass). This is an idiomatic way of saying you are going to examine something very closely. It’s a great way to sound more like a native speaker while still conveying the seriousness of an evaluation.

Wir werden die neuen Prozesse genau unter die Lupe nehmen.

Guide de prononciation

UK /e.va.lu.ˈiː.ʁən/
US /e.va.lu.ˈiː.ʁən/
On the fourth syllable: eva-lu-IE-ren.
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Exemples par niveau

1

Das ist gut.

That is good.

Simple adjective use.

2

Ich finde das Projekt schön.

I find the project nice.

Subject + find + object + adjective.

3

Ist das richtig?

Is that correct?

Simple question.

4

Ich prüfe die Liste.

I am checking the list.

A1 alternative to evaluieren.

5

Wir sehen uns die Daten an.

We are looking at the data.

Separable verb 'ansehen'.

6

Das Resultat ist okay.

The result is okay.

Simple statement.

7

Er testet das Auto.

He is testing the car.

Simple verb 'testen'.

8

Wir machen einen Test.

We are doing a test.

Verb 'machen' + noun.

1

Wir müssen die Ergebnisse prüfen.

We must check the results.

Modal verb 'müssen' + infinitive.

2

Der Lehrer bewertet die Arbeit.

The teacher rates the work.

Transitive verb 'bewerten'.

3

Kannst du das bitte kontrollieren?

Can you please control/check that?

Polite request with 'können'.

4

Ich finde die Idee interessant.

I find the idea interesting.

Expressing an opinion.

5

Wir haben alles getestet.

We have tested everything.

Perfect tense of 'testen'.

6

Die Firma sucht neue Lösungen.

The company is looking for new solutions.

Verb 'suchen' + accusative.

7

Das ist eine wichtige Prüfung.

That is an important exam/check.

Adjective ending '-e'.

8

Wie ist deine Meinung?

What is your opinion?

Possessive pronoun 'deine'.

1

Wir müssen das neue Projekt evaluieren.

We must evaluate the new project.

Standard B1 usage.

2

Die Experten evaluieren die Daten.

The experts are evaluating the data.

Plural subject.

3

Hast du die Software schon evaluiert?

Have you evaluated the software yet?

Perfect tense, no 'ge-' prefix.

4

Es ist wichtig, den Erfolg zu evaluieren.

It is important to evaluate the success.

Infinitive with 'zu'.

5

Wir evaluieren verschiedene Möglichkeiten.

We are evaluating various possibilities.

Present tense.

6

Die Studie evaluiert die Risiken.

The study evaluates the risks.

Abstract subject.

7

Können wir die Kosten evaluieren?

Can we evaluate the costs?

Modal verb question.

8

Sie evaluieren die Qualität der Lehre.

They are evaluating the quality of teaching.

Formal context.

1

Die Wirksamkeit der Maßnahme muss evaluiert werden.

The effectiveness of the measure must be evaluated.

Passive voice with modal verb.

2

Wir haben das Feedback systematisch evaluiert.

We have systematically evaluated the feedback.

Use of adverb 'systematisch'.

3

Es gilt, die langfristigen Folgen zu evaluieren.

It is necessary to evaluate the long-term consequences.

Phrase 'es gilt... zu'.

4

Nachdem wir die Daten evaluiert hatten, trafen wir eine Entscheidung.

After we had evaluated the data, we made a decision.

Past perfect in a 'nachdem' clause.

5

Die Kommission evaluiert derzeit die Anträge.

The commission is currently evaluating the applications.

Adverb 'derzeit' for 'currently'.

6

Man sollte die Strategie regelmäßig evaluieren.

One should evaluate the strategy regularly.

Modal verb 'sollte' for recommendation.

7

Die Ergebnisse wurden kritisch evaluiert.

The results were critically evaluated.

Passive voice, Präteritum.

8

Wir evaluieren das Potenzial des Marktes.

We are evaluating the potential of the market.

Genitive case 'des Marktes'.

1

Die Studie beabsichtigt, die sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen zu evaluieren.

The study intends to evaluate the socio-economic impacts.

Complex noun 'Auswirkungen'.

2

Trotz der Schwierigkeiten gelang es, die Daten zu evaluieren.

Despite the difficulties, they succeeded in evaluating the data.

Preposition 'trotz' + genitive.

3

Die zu evaluierenden Kriterien müssen klar definiert sein.

The criteria to be evaluated must be clearly defined.

Gerundive construction (zu + Partizip I).

4

Inwiefern lassen sich diese Ergebnisse wissenschaftlich evaluieren?

To what extent can these results be scientifically evaluated?

Reflexive 'lassen sich' for passive meaning.

5

Eine umfassende Evaluation ist für den Projekterfolg unerlässlich.

A comprehensive evaluation is essential for project success.

Noun form 'Evaluation'.

6

Wir evaluieren die Nachhaltigkeit unserer Lieferketten.

We are evaluating the sustainability of our supply chains.

Professional terminology.

7

Die Forscher evaluierten die Hypothese anhand neuer Beweise.

The researchers evaluated the hypothesis based on new evidence.

Preposition 'anhand' + genitive.

8

Es bedarf einer Expertenkommission, um die Lage zu evaluieren.

An expert commission is required to evaluate the situation.

Verb 'bedürfen' + genitive.

1

Die hermeneutische Herangehensweise erlaubt es, die Texte tiefgreifend zu evaluieren.

The hermeneutic approach allows the texts to be evaluated profoundly.

High-level academic vocabulary.

2

Es ist eine Gratwanderung, die ethischen Implikationen dieser Technologie zu evaluieren.

It is a balancing act to evaluate the ethical implications of this technology.

Metaphorical expression 'Gratwanderung'.

3

Die Validität der Forschungsergebnisse muss fortlaufend evaluiert werden.

The validity of the research results must be continuously evaluated.

Scientific precision.

4

Ungeachtet der Kritik wurden die Maßnahmen positiv evaluiert.

Regardless of the criticism, the measures were positively evaluated.

Concessive preposition 'ungeachtet'.

5

Die Evaluation dient der Legitimierung weiterer Investitionen.

The evaluation serves to legitimize further investments.

Nominal style (Nominalstil).

6

Man muss die diskursiven Praktiken innerhalb der Institution evaluieren.

One must evaluate the discursive practices within the institution.

Sociological terminology.

7

Die Ergebnisse wurden unter Berücksichtigung aller Variablen evaluiert.

The results were evaluated taking all variables into account.

Complex prepositional phrase.

8

In der Retrospektive lassen sich die Fehlentscheidungen leichter evaluieren.

In retrospect, the wrong decisions can be evaluated more easily.

Temporal adverbial phrase.

Collocations courantes

Ergebnisse evaluieren
Projekte evaluieren
Daten evaluieren
Erfolg evaluieren
Maßnahmen evaluieren
Wirksamkeit evaluieren
Risiken evaluieren
Feedback evaluieren
Leistung evaluieren
systematisch evaluieren

Phrases Courantes

einer Evaluation unterziehen

abschließend evaluieren

kritisch evaluieren

extern evaluieren lassen

den Fortschritt evaluieren

Optionen evaluieren

Bedarf evaluieren

Qualität evaluieren

Ziele evaluieren

Prozesse evaluieren

Expressions idiomatiques

"etwas auf Herz und Nieren prüfen"

To check something very thoroughly (similar to a deep evaluation).

Wir haben den neuen Plan auf Herz und Nieren geprüft.

Informal/Idiomatic

"etwas unter die Lupe nehmen"

To examine something very closely.

Die Journalisten nahmen den Bericht unter die Lupe.

Neutral/Journalistic

"die Spreu vom Weizen trennen"

To separate the good from the bad (a form of evaluation).

Bei der Auswahl der Bewerber müssen wir die Spreu vom Weizen trennen.

Idiomatic

"Bilanz ziehen"

To take stock or evaluate the final result of something.

Nach einem Jahr ziehen wir Bilanz.

Business/Formal

"einen Kassensturz machen"

To evaluate the financial situation quickly.

Wir müssen mal einen Kassensturz machen, um zu sehen, wie viel Geld noch da ist.

Informal

"etwas auf den Prüfstand stellen"

To put something to the test or re-evaluate it.

Alte Traditionen werden oft auf den Prüfstand gestellt.

Formal

"ins Gericht gehen mit"

To judge or criticize something harshly.

Der Kritiker ging hart mit dem Film ins Gericht.

Formal/Literary

"ein Urteil fällen"

To pass judgment (the result of evaluating).

Die Jury wird morgen ihr Urteil fällen.

Formal

"den Finger in die Wunde legen"

To point out exactly where the problem is (part of a critical evaluation).

Der Bericht legte den Finger in die Wunde der Verwaltung.

Idiomatic

"Farbe bekennen"

To show one's true colors/stand by an evaluation.

Jetzt muss der Vorstand Farbe bekennen.

Idiomatic
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