durchsetzen
To enforce
حرفيًا: to set through
Use it when you successfully make your will or a rule reality despite opposition.
في 15 ثانية
- To enforce a rule or push an idea through.
- To assert oneself in a group or conflict.
- Common in business, law, and daily arguments.
المعنى
It means to push an idea, rule, or yourself through resistance until you succeed. Think of it as winning a power struggle or making sure a rule is actually followed.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Deciding on dinner with a stubborn friend
Ich habe mich durchgesetzt: Wir essen heute Pizza!
I got my way: We are eating pizza today!
A boss talking about new office rules
Wir müssen das Rauchverbot im Büro strikt durchsetzen.
We must strictly enforce the smoking ban in the office.
Texting a partner about a work victory
Mein Projektvorschlag hat sich endlich durchgesetzt!
My project proposal finally got pushed through!
خلفية ثقافية
In Germany, assertiveness is often viewed as a professional virtue rather than aggression. The term is deeply linked to the concept of 'Rechtsstaat' (rule of law), where the ability to enforce rules ensures social stability. It became particularly prominent in corporate language during the 20th century.
The Separable Secret
In a normal sentence, 'durch' always jumps to the very end. 'Ich setze meine Idee durch.' Don't let it stick to the verb!
Don't be too aggressive
If you tell a friend 'Ich setze mich immer durch,' you might sound like a bit of a jerk. Use it sparingly in social settings.
في 15 ثانية
- To enforce a rule or push an idea through.
- To assert oneself in a group or conflict.
- Common in business, law, and daily arguments.
What It Means
Imagine you are in a meeting. Everyone has different ideas. You have the best one. You talk, you argue, and finally, everyone agrees. You just durchgesetzt your idea. It literally means "to set through." It is about moving an idea from your head through a wall of resistance. It is not just about being loud. It is about being effective. You make things happen.
How To Use It
You can use it in two ways. First, use it with an object. You durchsetzen a law or a rule. This means you make sure people follow it. Second, use it reflexively: sich durchsetzen. This describes a person. If you setzt dich durch, you are assertive. You don't let others push you around. Remember to split the verb in sentences. "Ich setze meine Meinung durch." The durch goes to the very end.
When To Use It
Use it at work constantly. It is a very professional word. Use it when talking about politics. Governments durchsetzen new taxes. You can also use it at home. Maybe you want to watch a sci-fi movie. Your partner wants a rom-com. If you win, you durchgesetzt your wish. It is perfect for any situation involving a conflict of interest. It shows you have a strong will.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple requests. If you ask for salt, you don't durchsetzen it. That sounds like you fought for the salt. Avoid it when things happen by luck. If you win the lottery, you didn't durchsetzen anything. Also, be careful with friends. If you always dich durchsetzt, people might think you are bossy. It implies a bit of a power struggle. Use vorschlagen (to suggest) if you want to be softer.
Cultural Background
German culture values "Ordnung" (order). Rules are not just suggestions. They are meant to be durchgesetzt. In German job interviews, Durchsetzungsvermögen is a huge compliment. It means you have the assertiveness to get things done. It is seen as a leadership quality. Germans appreciate people who stand their ground. It is not seen as rude, but as being clear and reliable.
Common Variations
The noun Durchsetzung is common in legal contexts. You might hear about the Durchsetzung von Ansprüchen (enforcement of claims). Then there is sich gegen jemanden durchsetzen. This means to prevail against someone specific. It sounds like a competition. If a new trend becomes popular, we say it setzt sich durch. Like how electric cars are sich durchsetzen in the market right now.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The verb is neutral but carries a sense of authority. In professional settings, it is highly valued, while in personal settings, it can occasionally sound bossy if overused.
The Separable Secret
In a normal sentence, 'durch' always jumps to the very end. 'Ich setze meine Idee durch.' Don't let it stick to the verb!
Don't be too aggressive
If you tell a friend 'Ich setze mich immer durch,' you might sound like a bit of a jerk. Use it sparingly in social settings.
The Resume Star
Germans love the word 'Durchsetzungsvermögen'. Put it on your CV if you want to show you're a leader who gets results.
أمثلة
6Ich habe mich durchgesetzt: Wir essen heute Pizza!
I got my way: We are eating pizza today!
Uses the reflexive form to show personal victory in a small debate.
Wir müssen das Rauchverbot im Büro strikt durchsetzen.
We must strictly enforce the smoking ban in the office.
Classic professional use regarding rules and regulations.
Mein Projektvorschlag hat sich endlich durchgesetzt!
My project proposal finally got pushed through!
The idea itself is the subject here, showing it gained acceptance.
Du musst immer deinen Willen durchsetzen, oder?
You always have to have things your way, don't you?
A bit of a humorous or slightly annoyed jab at someone's ego.
Er kann sich in der Klasse nicht gut durchsetzen.
He can't assert himself well in the class.
Used to describe a lack of social confidence or presence.
Dieser Trend wird sich niemals durchsetzen.
This trend will never catch on.
Used for ideas or trends that fail to gain popular traction.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the sentence to say 'He asserts himself'.
Er ___ sich im Meeting ___.
Durchsetzen is a separable verb, so 'setzt' stays in the second position and 'durch' goes to the end.
Choose the correct noun form for 'assertiveness'.
Sie hat ein starkes ___.
Durchsetzungsvermögen is the standard German term for the ability to assert oneself.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of Durchsetzen
Winning an argument with friends.
Ich hab mich durchgesetzt!
General workplace discussions.
Wir setzen den Plan durch.
Legal or political enforcement.
Die Gesetze werden durchgesetzt.
Where to use Durchsetzen
Politics
Enforcing a new law.
Family
Getting kids to bed.
Business
Winning a contract bid.
Trends
A new technology becoming standard.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt means to make something happen even when there is resistance, like a rule being followed or an idea being accepted.
Yes, it is! In a main clause, you say Ich setze mich durch, where the durch moves to the end of the sentence.
Not really. It is mostly for abstract things like wills, laws, or ideas. For physical force, you would use erzwingen.
Durchsetzen (transitive) means to enforce something else, like a law. Sich durchsetzen (reflexive) means to assert yourself as a person.
It is neutral. It isn't rude, but it is firm. In a professional context, it is actually seen as a positive trait.
The most common word is Durchsetzungsvermögen. It literally means the 'capacity to set through'.
Yes! If a new smartphone becomes the market leader, you can say: Das Handy hat sich am Markt durchgesetzt.
Learners often forget the reflexive sich when they want to say they won an argument. Always say Ich habe MICH durchgesetzt.
Not necessarily a physical one, but it does imply that there was some disagreement or obstacle to overcome.
You can, but be careful. Saying Ich setze mich immer durch makes it sound like you don't care about your partner's opinion!
عبارات ذات صلة
Erzwingen
To force something (more aggressive than durchsetzen).
Sich behaupten
To hold one's ground or maintain one's position.
Einführen
To introduce (often used before you have to durchsetzen a rule).
Nachgeben
To give in (the opposite of sich durchsetzen).
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