German word

bestimmen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈʃtɪmən/

Meaning

  • verbdecide

Example

Ich bestimme den Termin.

I decide on the date.

Illustration for bestimmen (decide)

More examples

Das Parlament bestimmt die neuen Regeln.

The parliament establishes the new rules.

Core concept

A hand pins one named person or date into a fixed place on a calendar or roster.

Common phrases

  • den Termin bestimmen

    set the date

  • die Regeln bestimmen

    establish the rules

  • die Uhrzeit bestimmen

    set the time

Similar words

vereinbaren: Set a date or condition jointly after reaching an agreement.
abmachen: Arrange a date or condition through a casual verbal agreement.
festlegen: Determine a rule or schedule clearly and finally.
entscheiden: Choose between options and arrive at a final decision.

Definition in German

Bedeutet, etwas klar festzulegen oder eine Person bzw. einen Termin zuzuweisen.

Word origin

Bestimmen developed from Middle High German bestimmen, a be- derivative of stimmen, and came to denote fixing something clearly or assigning it.

Usage tips

  • Bestimmen normally takes a direct accusative object, as in 'den Termin bestimmen', whereas entscheiden commonly describes making a choice.

Other meanings

  • specifyverb
  • determineverb

Opposites

  • offenlassenleave openverb

Related words

Word lists with this word