German word

engagieren

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃gaˈʒiːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbhire

Example

Wir engagieren einen neuen Mitarbeiter.

We are hiring a new employee.

Illustration for engagieren (hire)

More examples

Wir engagieren einen Handwerker, weil das Rohr kaputt ist.

We hire a tradesperson because the pipe is broken.

Core concept

A person is brought in for a defined task and pay, or commits effort to a cause.

Common phrases

  • einen Handwerker engagieren

    hire a tradesperson

  • einen Babysitter engagieren

    hire a babysitter

Similar words

einstellen: To formally employ someone in a workplace for a salary.
rekrutieren: To recruit people needed for a particular role or purpose.
anheuern: To hire someone for short-term or one-off work.

Definition in German

jemanden gegen Lohn für einen konkreten Auftrag oder eine Aufgabe beauftragen

Word origin

German engagieren comes from French engager, based on Old French gage, 'pledge', and developed senses of hiring someone and committing oneself.

Usage tips

  • With a person as object, use the accusative in jemanden engagieren; sich engagieren usually takes für plus the accusative for a cause.

Other meanings

  • get involvedverb
  • commissionverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word