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B1 verb #3,500 mais comum 9 min de leitura

engagieren

Top 3,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas engagieren em 30 segundos

Explicação engagieren in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'engagieren' might seem like a long and difficult word. You don't need to use it often, but you might see it in simple texts about hobbies or helping others. Think of it as a very strong way to say 'I help.' For example, if you say 'Ich helfe im Tierheim' (I help at the animal shelter), that is perfect A1. If you want to sound a bit more advanced, you can say 'Ich engagiere mich für Tiere.' The most important thing to remember at this stage is that it needs the word 'mich' (myself) when you are talking about what you do. It's also important to know that it is NOT about getting married. If you learn it now as 'to get involved,' you will avoid many mistakes later. Just remember: 'Ich engagiere mich' = 'I am getting involved' or 'I am active.' Focus on the 'für' part, which means 'for.' You are active FOR something good. This word shows that you are a good person who cares about others.

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At the A2 level, you start to talk more about your community and your interests. You might hear 'engagieren' when people talk about 'Ehrenamt' (volunteer work). In Germany, many people help in sports clubs, fire departments, or churches. You can use 'sich engagieren' to describe these activities. For example: 'Mein Bruder engagiert sich im Fußballverein.' Notice that we use 'im' (in the) or 'für' (for). At this level, you should also recognize the adjective 'engagiert.' If your teacher says you are 'eine engagierte Schülerin,' they are very happy with you! It means you are not lazy; you are working hard and participating. You should also start to see the difference between 'Ich engagiere mich' (I do something) and 'Die Firma engagiert einen Musiker' (The company hires a musician). The second one doesn't have 'mich' because the company is hiring someone else. It's a useful word for describing what people do in their free time beyond just 'hobbies.'

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B1 is the level where 'engagieren' becomes a key vocabulary word. You are expected to talk about social issues, the environment, and politics. 'Sich engagieren' is the perfect verb for these topics. You should be comfortable using the pattern 'sich engagieren für/gegen + Akkusativ.' For example: 'Wir müssen uns mehr für den Klimaschutz engagieren' or 'Sie engagiert sich gegen Armut.' You should also understand the noun 'das Engagement.' If a news report says 'Das soziale Engagement in Deutschland wächst,' you should know it means that people are doing more for society. At B1, you also need to be careful with 'false friends.' Remember that 'engaged' in English can mean 'busy' or 'taken,' but in German, 'engagieren' is always about active commitment or hiring. In a job interview at this level, you might use it to show your strengths: 'In meiner Freizeit engagiere ich mich ehrenamtlich bei der Tafel.' This shows you are responsible and active.

At the B2 level, you should use 'engagieren' with more nuance and variety. You can discuss the 'Zivilgesellschaft' (civil society) and the importance of 'bürgerschaftliches Engagement.' You should be able to use the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as infinitive clauses: 'Es ist wichtig, sich für die Demokratie zu engagieren.' You will also encounter the word in professional contexts more frequently. For instance, a company might 'sich sozial engagieren' as part of their 'Corporate Social Responsibility.' You should also understand the transitive use in the context of professional services: 'Die Kanzlei hat einen zusätzlichen Experten engagiert.' Here, 'engagieren' implies a specific, often high-level, professional assignment. You should also be able to distinguish between 'sich engagieren' and synonyms like 'sich einsetzen für' or 'sich starkmachen für,' choosing 'engagieren' when you want to emphasize the organized or sustained nature of the involvement.

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At the C1 level, you use 'engagieren' to discuss complex socio-political and philosophical concepts. You might analyze the 'Engagement' of an author in their literature (littérature engagée) or the political commitment of a public figure. You should understand the subtle connotations the word carries in different registers. For example, in a high-level business meeting, 'jemanden engagieren' might sound more prestigious than 'einstellen.' You can use the word to describe systemic involvement: 'Das Unternehmen engagiert sich in der Forschung und Entwicklung.' You should also be aware of historical contexts, such as the 'engagierte Kunst' (committed art) of the 20th century. Your use of the word should be precise: distinguish between 'ehrenamtlichem Engagement' (volunteering), 'politischem Engagement' (political activism), and 'beruflichem Engagement' (professional dedication). You should also be able to use the noun 'Engagement' in abstract senses, such as 'das intellektuelle Engagement' of a philosopher.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'engagieren.' You can use it to express fine shades of meaning in academic, literary, or highly formal contexts. You might discuss the 'Spannungsfeld zwischen privatem Interesse und öffentlichem Engagement.' You understand the word's etymological roots in the French 'engager' (to pledge) and how this history informs its current meaning of moral or professional obligation. You can use the word in rhetorical contexts, perhaps in a speech: 'Wofür engagieren wir uns, wenn nicht für die Zukunft unserer Kinder?' You are also familiar with the rarest uses, such as the military or legal nuances of 'Engagement' in historical texts. You can critique the 'Engagement' of a piece of music or the 'theatrale Engagement' of a performance. Your use of the word is not just grammatically perfect but culturally and contextually rich, reflecting a deep understanding of the German 'Engagementkultur'.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

engagieren em 30 segundos

Engagieren means to get involved in a cause or to hire someone.
It is reflexive (sich engagieren) when you are doing the work.
It is transitive (jemanden engagieren) when you are hiring a professional.
It is NOT for marriage engagements (use 'verloben' instead).

The German verb engagieren is a multifaceted word that English speakers often find both familiar and confusing. At its core, it describes a high level of commitment, involvement, or the act of hiring someone for a specific task. Unlike the English word 'engaged,' which frequently refers to a marital promise or a busy telephone line, the German engagieren is much more active and dynamic. It is primarily used in two distinct grammatical ways: as a reflexive verb (sich engagieren) and as a transitive verb (jemanden engagieren).

Social Commitment: This is the most common use at the B1 level. It refers to volunteering, participating in social causes, or being politically active. When you say 'Ich engagiere mich für den Umweltschutz,' you are saying you actively work for environmental protection.

Viele junge Menschen engagieren sich heute ehrenamtlich in ihrer Freizeit, um der Gesellschaft etwas zurückzugeben.

In Germany, the concept of 'bürgerschaftliches Engagement' (civic engagement) is a pillar of society. Whether it is joining a local 'Verein' (club), helping at a food bank, or participating in a protest, sich engagieren is the verb that captures this spirit of contribution. It implies that the action is not just a one-time help, but a sustained effort driven by personal values or passion.

Professional Hiring: The second major meaning is to hire or employ someone, typically for a specific project, performance, or professional service. This is common in the arts, legal, and business worlds. For example, a theater might 'engagieren' an actor for a season.

Furthermore, the adjective form engagiert is a very positive trait in a professional or academic context. If a teacher describes a student as 'sehr engagiert,' it means the student is hardworking, proactive, and genuinely interested in the subject matter. It is a high compliment in German culture, where diligence and 'Einsatzbereitschaft' (readiness to exert oneself) are highly valued.

Das Unternehmen hat einen spezialisierten Anwalt engagiert, um die komplexen Vertragsverhandlungen zu führen.

Understanding the nuance between these uses is key. In the reflexive sense, it is about the self giving to a cause. In the transitive sense, it is about bringing someone else on board for their expertise. Both require a level of seriousness and formal intent that distinguishes this word from simpler verbs like 'helfen' (to help) or 'einstellen' (to hire).

Mastering engagieren requires attention to its grammatical structures, particularly the prepositions that follow it. The most common pattern you will encounter is sich engagieren für + Akkusativ (to get involved for/in favor of something).

The Reflexive Pattern: Structure: [Subject] + [reflexive pronoun] + [engagieren] + [für/gegen] + [Noun]. Example: 'Er engagiert sich gegen Rassismus.' (He gets involved against racism.)

Wir engagieren uns seit Jahren für die Rechte von Tieren in unserer Stadt.

When using the word to mean 'hiring,' the reflexive pronoun disappears. The structure becomes: [Subject] + [engagieren] + [Object in Akkusativ]. This is frequently used with professional roles like 'Detektiv,' 'Anwalt,' or 'Künstler.' It implies a contract or a specific assignment rather than a permanent employment relationship.

Another sophisticated way to use the word is in the passive voice or as a participle. For example, 'Die engagierte Mitarbeiterin' (The committed employee). Here, it functions as an adjective. You can also use it with 'bei' to indicate where the involvement happens: 'Sie engagiert sich bei der Caritas.'

Common Contexts: 1. Politics: 'Sich politisch engagieren.' 2. Social: 'Sich ehrenamtlich engagieren.' 3. Business: 'Einen Experten engagieren.'

Wenn du etwas verändern willst, musst du dich aktiv engagieren und nicht nur zuschauen.

In summary, always ask yourself: Am I talking about myself getting involved (reflexive) or am I talking about hiring someone (transitive)? This distinction will prevent the most common errors learners make with this verb. Also, remember that 'engagieren' usually implies a moral or professional weight; you wouldn't typically 'engagieren' yourself to watch a movie, but you would to save a local park.

You will hear engagieren in almost every corner of German public life. It is a 'buzzword' in politics, education, and the workplace, but it is also deeply rooted in the German tradition of community service. If you watch the news (Tagesschau), you will frequently hear politicians praising citizens who 'sich engagieren' for the common good.

In the Media: News reports on climate change often feature activists who 'sich für das Klima engagieren.' In documentaries about historical figures, you might hear about how they 'sich gegen die Diktatur engagierten.'

In der heutigen Talkshow diskutieren wir darüber, wie man junge Menschen dazu motiviert, sich mehr in der Lokalpolitik zu engagieren.

In a professional setting, during a job interview, an employer might ask: 'In welchen Bereichen haben Sie sich bisher engagiert?' They aren't just asking about your previous jobs, but about your extracurricular activities, your passions, and where you have shown initiative. Being 'engagiert' is a key soft skill that German HR departments look for.

You will also encounter the transitive use in the cultural sector. If a famous band is coming to town, the newspaper might report: 'Die Stadt hat für das Stadtfest eine bekannte Rockband engagiert.' Or in a crime drama (Krimi), a character might say: 'Ich habe einen Privatdetektiv engagiert, um meinen Mann zu beschatten.'

Academic and School Life: Teachers write in report cards: 'Der Schüler zeigt sich im Unterricht sehr engagiert.' This means the student participates actively, asks questions, and goes beyond the minimum requirements.

Wir suchen Freiwillige, die sich in unserem Projekt für benachteiligte Kinder engagieren möchten.

Whether you are reading a job posting, listening to a political speech, or talking to a neighbor about their garden club, 'engagieren' is the word that signals active, purposeful participation. It is a word of action and responsibility.

The word engagieren is a classic 'false friend' (falscher Freund) for English speakers because its English cognate 'engage' has many meanings that the German word does not share. Avoiding these pitfalls is crucial for sounding natural in German.

The 'Marriage' Mistake: The most frequent error is using 'engagieren' to mean getting engaged to be married. In German, this is 'sich verloben.' If you say 'Ich bin engagiert,' a German speaker will think you are a very dedicated worker, not that you are getting married.

Falsch: Wir haben uns gestern engagiert. (Correct: Wir haben uns gestern verlobt.)

Another common mistake is forgetting the reflexive pronoun 'sich.' In English, we say 'I get involved.' In German, you must say 'Ich engagiere mich.' Without the 'mich,' the listener is waiting to hear whom you are hiring. If you say 'Ich engagiere für den Tierschutz,' it sounds like you are hiring someone to work for animal rights, rather than doing it yourself.

A third mistake involves the meaning of 'busy.' In English, you might say 'The line is engaged.' In German, the phone line is 'besetzt.' You can also 'engage' in a conversation in English, but in German, you would 'sich an einem Gespräch beteiligen' or 'ein Gespräch führen.' Engagieren is too 'heavy' for just talking; it implies a deeper commitment to a cause or a formal hiring.

Preposition Errors: Learners often use 'in' because of the English 'involved in.' While 'sich engagieren in' is sometimes used for sectors (e.g., in der Politik), the standard and most natural preposition is 'für' (for) or 'bei' (at/with an organization).

Richtig: Sie engagiert sich für die Umwelt. (Falsch: Sie engagiert sich in der Umwelt.)

Lastly, be careful with the word 'Engagement.' In English, an 'engagement' can be an appointment or a meeting. In German, an 'Engagement' is either your social commitment or a professional contract (especially for artists). If you have a dentist appointment, call it a 'Termin,' not an 'Engagement.'

German has several verbs that overlap with engagieren. Choosing the right one depends on whether you want to emphasize hiring, helping, or participating.

Sich einsetzen für: This is the closest synonym for 'sich engagieren für.' It means to advocate for or to champion a cause. It often implies a more vocal or defensive stance. Example: 'Sie setzt sich für die Rechte von Frauen ein.'

Statt sich zu engagieren, kann man auch sagen, dass man sich für eine Sache starkmacht.

If the context is professional hiring, alternatives include einstellen (to hire/employ permanently) or beauftragen (to commission/task someone). Engagieren sounds more specific to projects or the arts, while einstellen is the standard word for a regular job.

For general 'getting involved' in a group or activity, you might use sich beteiligen an (to participate in) or mitmachen (to join in). These are less formal than engagieren. You 'mitmachen' in a game or a small project, but you 'engagieren yourself' in a movement or a long-term social project.

Comparison Table: - engagieren: High commitment, social or project-based hiring.
- einstellen: Standard employment.
- sich beteiligen: Simple participation.
- sich einsetzen: Active advocacy/championing.

Wir haben einen Experten beauftragt, aber für die soziale Seite der Firma engagieren wir uns selbst.

When you want to sound more sophisticated or stress the moral aspect of your work, sich engagieren is your best choice. It suggests that your heart and your values are in the work, not just your time.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

In the 18th century, it was often used in a military context to describe someone entering service or 'engaging' in battle.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /aŋɡaˈʒiːʁən/

US /ɑŋɡɑˈʒiːrən/

On the 'ie' syllable: en-ga-GIE-ren.

Rima com

studieren probieren marschieren faszinieren organisieren passieren telefonieren trainieren

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'g' like in 'go'. It should be soft [ʒ].
Stress on the first syllable.
Missing the nasal sound at the beginning.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate, but requires context to know which meaning is used.

Escrita 4/5

Difficult because of the reflexive pronoun and specific prepositions.

Expressão oral 4/5

The pronunciation (nasal 'en' and soft 'g') can be tricky for beginners.

Audição 3/5

Commonly heard in news and professional settings.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

helfen arbeiten sich für gegen

Aprenda a seguir

das Ehrenamt der Verein die Verantwortung beitragen unterstützen

Avançado

die Zivilgesellschaft das Mäzenatentum die Partizipation intervenieren initiieren

Gramática essencial

Reflexive Verbs

Ich engagiere **mich**.

Verbs with Prepositions

engagieren **für** + Akkusativ.

-ieren Verbs

Weak conjugation: engagierte, hat engagiert.

Adjective Ending

Ein **engagierter** Mitarbeiter.

Transitive vs Reflexive

Ich engagiere mich (I act) vs Ich engagiere dich (I hire you).

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Exemplos por nível

Ich engagiere mich für Tiere.

I am involved for animals.

Reflexive: ich + mich.

Er engagiert sich in der Schule.

He gets involved at school.

Third person: er + sich.

Wir engagieren uns zusammen.

We get involved together.

Plural: wir + uns.

Engagierst du dich auch?

Do you also get involved?

Question form: verb first.

Sie engagiert sich für Kinder.

She gets involved for children.

Third person feminine.

Ich möchte mich engagieren.

I would like to get involved.

Modal verb 'möchte' + infinitive.

Hier engagieren sich viele Leute.

Many people get involved here.

Plural subject 'viele Leute'.

Mein Vater engagiert sich.

My father gets involved.

Noun subject + sich.

Sie engagiert sich ehrenamtlich im Sportverein.

She volunteers at the sports club.

Adverb 'ehrenamtlich' (voluntarily).

Wir engagieren uns für die Umwelt.

We get involved for the environment.

Preposition 'für' + Akkusativ.

Er hat sich letztes Jahr engagiert.

He got involved last year.

Perfekt tense: hat + sich + engagiert.

Warum engagierst du dich nicht?

Why don't you get involved?

Negative question.

Die Schule engagiert einen neuen Lehrer.

The school hires a new teacher.

Transitive use (no 'sich').

Ich finde es gut, wenn man sich engagiert.

I think it's good when one gets involved.

Subordinate clause with 'wenn'.

Sie ist eine sehr engagierte Person.

She is a very committed person.

Adjective use: engagierte.

Wir engagieren uns gegen Plastik.

We get involved against plastic.

Preposition 'gegen' (against).

Viele Bürger engagieren sich politisch.

Many citizens get involved politically.

Adverb 'politisch'.

Das Unternehmen engagiert sich für soziale Projekte.

The company gets involved in social projects.

Corporate context.

Hast du dich schon einmal für Flüchtlinge engagiert?

Have you ever gotten involved for refugees?

Perfekt question.

Er engagierte sich während seines Studiums sehr.

He was very involved during his studies.

Präteritum (past tense).

Wir haben einen Experten für die Beratung engagiert.

We hired an expert for the consultation.

Transitive Perfekt.

Es ist wichtig, dass wir uns füreinander engagieren.

It is important that we get involved for each other.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Sie wurde für ihre engagierte Arbeit gelobt.

She was praised for her committed work.

Passive voice + adjective.

Wer sich engagiert, kann viel verändern.

Whoever gets involved can change a lot.

Relative clause.

Die NGO engagiert sich weltweit für Menschenrechte.

The NGO is active worldwide for human rights.

Global context.

Er hat sich dazu entschlossen, sich lokal zu engagieren.

He decided to get involved locally.

Infinitive with 'zu'.

Das Theater hat eine berühmte Regisseurin engagiert.

The theater hired a famous director.

Artistic context.

Trotz des Zeitmangels engagiert sie sich weiter.

Despite the lack of time, she continues to be involved.

Genitive preposition 'trotz'.

Ein bürgerschaftliches Engagement wird oft erwartet.

Civic involvement is often expected.

Noun: Engagement.

Sie engagiert sich leidenschaftlich für den Tierschutz.

She is passionately committed to animal welfare.

Adverb 'leidenschaftlich'.

Der Künstler ist für die gesamte Saison engagiert.

The artist is hired for the entire season.

Zustandspassiv (state passive).

Man sollte sich nicht nur aus Eigennutz engagieren.

One should not get involved only for self-interest.

Modal verb 'sollte' + negation.

Intellektuelle müssen sich in gesellschaftlichen Debatten engagieren.

Intellectuals must get involved in social debates.

Formal academic context.

Die Kanzlei engagierte einen Privatdetektiv für die Beweisaufnahme.

The law firm hired a private detective for the evidence gathering.

Specific professional transitive.

Das Werk zeugt von seinem tiefen politischen Engagement.

The work bears witness to his deep political commitment.

Abstract noun usage.

Sich für den Erhalt der Artenvielfalt zu engagieren, ist eine globale Pflicht.

To get involved for the preservation of biodiversity is a global duty.

Complex infinitive subject.

Die Schauspielerin ist fest an diesem Haus engagiert.

The actress is firmly hired at this house (theater).

Idiomatic 'an einem Haus'.

Ohne das Engagement der Bürger würde das System kollabieren.

Without the involvement of citizens, the system would collapse.

Konjunktiv II (conditional).

Er engagiert sich unermüdlich für die soziale Gerechtigkeit.

He gets involved tirelessly for social justice.

Adverb 'unermüdlich'.

Das Unternehmen hat sich dazu verpflichtet, sich ökologisch zu engagieren.

The company has committed itself to getting involved ecologically.

Reflexive verb + infinitive.

Die Literaturkritik befasste sich mit der Frage des engagierten Schreibens.

Literary criticism dealt with the question of committed writing.

Term 'engagiertes Schreiben'.

Man engagierte ihn kurzerhand als Berater für die Regierung.

He was summarily hired as a consultant for the government.

Adverb 'kurzerhand'.

Das bürgerschaftliche Engagement bildet das Rückgrat der Demokratie.

Civic engagement forms the backbone of democracy.

Metaphorical usage.

Inwieweit sich die Kirche heute noch politisch engagieren sollte, ist umstritten.

To what extent the church should still get involved politically today is controversial.

Indirect question clause.

Sie hat sich zeitlebens für die Förderung junger Talente engagiert.

She has been involved in promoting young talent all her life.

Adverb 'zeitlebens'.

Das Engagement der Mäzene ermöglichte den Bau des Museums.

The involvement of the patrons made the construction of the museum possible.

Specific noun 'Mäzen'.

Er sah sich gezwungen, sich gegen die drohende Enteignung zu engagieren.

He felt forced to get involved against the threatening expropriation.

Passive construction.

Die Komplexität der Krise erfordert ein koordiniertes Engagement aller Akteure.

The complexity of the crisis requires a coordinated involvement of all actors.

Formal administrative style.

Colocações comuns

sich ehrenamtlich engagieren

sich politisch engagieren

einen Anwalt engagieren

sich sozial engagieren

leidenschaftlich engagiert sein

sich für den Umweltschutz engagieren

einen Detektiv engagieren

stark engagiert sein

sich gegen Rassismus engagieren

einen Künstler engagieren

Frases Comuns

sich voll engagieren

— To give 100% effort.

Er engagiert sich voll in seinem neuen Job.

sich für eine Sache engagieren

— To commit to a specific cause.

Sie engagiert sich für diese wichtige Sache.

engagiert bei der Sache sein

— To be focused and committed to the task at hand.

Die Kinder waren engagiert bei der Sache.

sich bürgerschaftlich engagieren

— To be involved in civic or community work.

Bürgerschaftliches Engagement ist wichtig.

jemanden fest engagieren

— To hire someone on a permanent or long-term basis.

Die Oper hat den Tenor fest engagiert.

sich aktiv engagieren

— To take an active, visible role.

Du solltest dich aktiv engagieren.

sich im Verein engagieren

— To be active in a local club or association.

Er engagiert sich seit Jahren im Turnverein.

sich für den Frieden engagieren

— To work for peace.

Die Organisation engagiert sich für den Frieden.

sich unentgeltlich engagieren

— To get involved without being paid.

Sie engagiert sich unentgeltlich für Kranke.

jemanden als Berater engagieren

— To hire someone specifically as a consultant.

Wir haben ihn als Berater engagiert.

Frequentemente confundido com

engagieren vs sich verloben

This means to get engaged to be married. Never use 'engagieren' for this.

engagieren vs besetzt

This means 'engaged' in the sense of a busy phone line or a taken seat.

engagieren vs einstellen

This is a regular hiring for a job, whereas 'engagieren' is often for a project or an artist.

Expressões idiomáticas

"sich bis über beide Ohren engagieren"

— To be completely immersed and committed to something.

Er engagiert sich bis über beide Ohren in der Lokalpolitik.

informal

"sich voll und ganz engagieren"

— To commit completely, heart and soul.

Sie engagiert sich voll und ganz für ihre Schüler.

neutral

"sich ins Zeug legen"

— A related idiom meaning to work very hard (to pull at the harness).

Er legt sich für das Projekt mächtig ins Zeug.

informal

"mit Herzblut dabei sein"

— To do something with great passion (with heart's blood).

Sie ist mit Herzblut bei ihrem Engagement dabei.

neutral

"die Ärmel hochkrempeln"

— To roll up one's sleeves and get to work.

Jetzt müssen wir die Ärmel hochkrempeln und uns engagieren.

informal

"Farbe bekennen"

— To show one's true colors/commit to a side.

Es ist Zeit, Farbe zu bekennen und sich zu engagieren.

neutral

"Nägel mit Köpfen machen"

— To do something properly/make a real commitment.

Wir müssen Nägel mit Köpfen machen und uns endlich engagieren.

informal

"einen Stein ins Rollen bringen"

— To set something in motion (start an engagement).

Ihr Engagement hat einen Stein ins Rollen gebracht.

neutral

"an einem Strang ziehen"

— To pull together for a common cause.

Alle Freiwilligen ziehen an einem Strang und engagieren sich.

neutral

"über seinen Schatten springen"

— To overcome one's hesitations to get involved.

Er musste über seinen Schatten springen, um sich politisch zu engagieren.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

engagieren vs Engagement

English 'engagement' vs German 'Engagement'.

English 'engagement' can be a meeting or a wedding promise. German 'Engagement' is social commitment or a professional gig.

Ich habe heute ein Engagement im Theater (I have a gig at the theater).

engagieren vs engagiert

Adjective vs Verb.

As an adjective, it means 'committed/hardworking'. As a verb, it's the action of getting involved.

Sie ist eine engagierte Lehrerin.

engagieren vs beteiligen

Both mean 'involved'.

Beteiligen is just participating; engagieren implies a deeper personal or moral commitment.

Ich beteilige mich am Gewinn, aber ich engagiere mich für die Vision.

engagieren vs anheuern

Both mean 'hiring'.

Anheuern is more informal or specific to manual labor/nautical. Engagieren is for artists/experts.

Wir haben jemanden zum Kistenpacken angeheuert.

engagieren vs verpflichten

Both involve commitment.

Verpflichten is more about duty or legal obligation; engagieren is more about voluntary will.

Ich fühle mich verpflichtet zu helfen, aber ich engagiere mich gerne.

Padrões de frases

Ich engagiere mich für [Nomen].

Ich engagiere mich für Kinder.

Er engagiert sich bei [Organisation].

Er engagiert sich beim Roten Kreuz.

Wir engagieren uns ehrenamtlich, um [Verb].

Wir engagieren uns ehrenamtlich, um zu helfen.

Sie haben einen [Beruf] engagiert.

Sie haben einen Koch engagiert.

Es ist wichtig, sich gegen [Abstraktum] zu engagieren.

Es ist wichtig, sich gegen Ungerechtigkeit zu engagieren.

Sein Engagement für [Sache] ist bemerkenswert.

Sein Engagement für die Kunst ist bemerkenswert.

Die Firma ist bestrebt, sich sozial zu engagieren.

Trotz Widerständen engagiert sie sich weiterhin für [Ziel].

Trotz Widerständen engagiert sie sich weiterhin für die Reform.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

das Engagement

der Engagierte

die Engagierte

Verbos

engagieren

Adjetivos

engagiert

unengagiert

Relacionado

das Ehrenamt

die Verpflichtung

der Vertrag

die Beteiligung

der Einsatz

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Como usar

frequency

High in media, politics, and education; medium in casual chat.

Erros comuns

Ich bin engagiert mit Maria. → Ich bin mit Maria verlobt.
You used 'engagiert' for a marriage engagement. In German, use 'verlobt'.
Ich engagiere für die Umwelt. → Ich engagiere mich für die Umwelt.
You forgot the reflexive pronoun 'mich'. Without it, the sentence is incomplete.
Die Telefonleitung ist engagiert. → Die Telefonleitung ist besetzt.
In English, a line is engaged. In German, it is 'besetzt'.
Ich engagiere mich in Tiere. → Ich engagiere mich für Tiere.
The correct preposition is 'für' (for), not 'in'.
Wir haben einen neuen Arbeiter engagiert. → Wir haben einen neuen Mitarbeiter eingestellt.
For a normal employee, use 'eingestellt'. 'Engagiert' is for specialists or artists.

Dicas

The Reflexive Pronoun

Always remember the reflexive pronoun when talking about your own involvement. 'Ich engagiere mich' is correct; 'Ich engagiere' is not.

False Friend Alert

Do not use this for wedding engagements. If you do, people will be very confused!

Soft G

Practice the soft 'g' sound. It is a French loanword, so it keeps the French-style soft 'g'.

Volunteer Power

Mentioning your 'Engagement' in a German CV is highly recommended. It shows you are a team player.

Prepositions

Use 'für' for a cause you support. 'Ich engagiere mich für den Frieden.' It always takes the Akkusativ case.

Hiring Experts

When you hire a lawyer or a consultant, use 'engagieren' to sound professional and precise.

Adjective Power

Use 'engagiert' as an adjective to describe a great colleague or student. It is a very high compliment.

News Context

When you hear 'Engagement' on the news, it almost always refers to citizens doing good things for society.

The Contract

Associate 'engagieren' with a contract—either a social contract with society or a professional one for a job.

Social Issues

In essays about social issues, 'sich engagieren' is one of the most important verbs you can use.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of an 'ENGAGEd' person in English, but instead of a wedding ring, they are wearing a volunteer badge and holding a contract.

Associação visual

Imagine a person standing between a 'Help Wanted' sign (hiring) and a 'Save the Earth' protest (social commitment).

Word Web

Social Hiring Contract Volunteer Passion Active Commitment Proactive

Desafio

Try to find one cause you care about and write a sentence in German using 'sich engagieren für'.

Origem da palavra

From the French verb 'engager', which means to pledge, to bind, or to involve. It entered the German language in the 17th century.

Significado original: To put under pledge or to give as security (from 'gage' meaning pledge).

Romance (French) via Latin.

Contexto cultural

Generally a very positive word. No major sensitivities, but be careful in professional contexts to distinguish between a 'job' and 'engagement' (project-based).

English speakers must be careful not to use this for marriage or for being 'busy' (besetzt).

Engagierte Literatur (Committed Literature) - a movement including authors like Heinrich Böll. Engagement-Bericht - an official government report on volunteering in Germany. Bürgerschaftliches Engagement - the official term for civic duty.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Volunteering

Ich engagiere mich ehrenamtlich.
Wo kann ich mich engagieren?
Soziales Engagement ist wichtig.
Sich für Obdachlose engagieren.

Job/Arts

Wir haben einen Anwalt engagiert.
Sie ist am Theater engagiert.
Einen Berater engagieren.
Ein neues Engagement finden.

School/University

Ein engagierter Student.
Sich in der Fachschaft engagieren.
Engagement im Unterricht.
Sich für Mitschüler engagieren.

Politics

Sich politisch engagieren.
Gegen den Klimawandel engagieren.
Bürgerschaftliches Engagement.
Sich für Demokratie engagieren.

Company/CSR

Sich für Nachhaltigkeit engagieren.
Gesellschaftliches Engagement.
Sich lokal engagieren.
Mitarbeiter engagieren.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Engagierst du dich in deiner Freizeit für eine bestimmte Sache?"

"Welche Art von sozialem Engagement findest du am wichtigsten?"

"Hast du schon mal einen Profi für eine private Feier engagiert?"

"Sollten sich Unternehmen mehr für die Umwelt engagieren?"

"Was bedeutet es für dich, ein engagierter Bürger zu sein?"

Temas para diário

Schreibe über ein Projekt, für das du dich in der Zukunft engagieren möchtest.

Warum ist es in einer Demokratie wichtig, dass sich Menschen politisch engagieren?

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du jemanden engagiert hast (z.B. einen Handwerker oder Lehrer).

Was sind die Vorteile von ehrenamtlichem Engagement für die eigene Persönlichkeit?

Reflektiere über den Satz: 'Wer sich nicht engagiert, darf sich nicht beschweren.'

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No! That is a common mistake. If you are getting married, use 'sich verloben'. 'Engagieren' is for social work or hiring someone like a lawyer.

No. It is reflexive ('sich engagieren') when you are getting involved in something yourself. It is transitive (without 'sich') when you are hiring someone else for a job.

'Einstellen' is the standard word for hiring an employee for a permanent job. 'Engagieren' is usually for a specific project, an artist, or a professional service like a detective.

The most common is 'für' (for) or 'gegen' (against). You can also use 'bei' (at/with) when talking about an organization.

It is a soft 'g', like the 's' in the English word 'measure' or 'vision'. It is not a hard 'g' like in 'garden'.

You can, but it sounds very serious. If you just play tennis for fun, say 'Ich spiele Tennis.' If you help run the tennis club, say 'Ich engagiere mich im Verein.'

Yes, very! It is the standard word for 'civic involvement' or 'social commitment' in Germany.

Yes, but it means 'I am a committed/dedicated person,' usually in a work or school context. It does not mean you are busy right now.

Yes, it is a very positive and respected word in German culture. It shows you are taking responsibility.

It refers to art that has a political or social message and aims to provoke change.

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