German: Translating "to decide" (Specific Languages) Language Learning Forum

German: Translating "to decide"
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Language Learning Forum : Specific Languages

dglass48 Triglot Newbie United States Joined 5801 days ago 16 posts - 16 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish, Esperanto Studies: German, Italian, French	Message 1 of 3 26 September 2010 at 11:32pm \| IP Logged
	As a self-learner I'm a bit puzzled by the various German dictionary equivalents for "to decide" in their various senses. English is similar to the romance languages so this usage does not present problems in French or Italian, but German apparently makes distinctions the others do not. (leaving aside such transitive uses as "this was the deciding moment" "the vote decided the question for the delegates") Here's example sentences: "I've decided to spend the evening at home". "I've decided to learn Russian." "Decide now whether to stay or go." So, entscheiden, entschliessen, beschliessen -- synonyms, or what? 1 person has voted this message useful
Mareike Senior Member Germany Joined 6229 days ago 267 posts - 323 votes Speaks: German* Studies: English, Swedish	Message 2 of 3 27 September 2010 at 12:50am \| IP Logged
	Yes, I think they are synonyms. You could say: Ich habe mich dazu entschieden den Abend zu Hause zu verbringen. Ich habe mich dazu entschlossen den Abend zu Hause zu verbringen. Ich beschliess', das ich den Abend zu Hause verbringe. Okay maybe they aren't synonyms. I use an other tense with beschlissen and I won't use it in the same context as the first two. 1 person has voted this message useful
Pyx Diglot Senior Member China Joined 5740 days ago 670 posts - 892 votes Speaks: German*, English Studies: Mandarin	Message 3 of 3 27 September 2010 at 3:18am \| IP Logged
	entscheiden = decide beschliessen/entschliessen = to have made up your mind to do sth The difference between the two is in the degree of consideration before you decide. You don't make up your mind until you've actually pondered a question. 1 person has voted this message useful

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