German word

orientieren

Pronunciation

IPA/oʁiɛnˈtiːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbfind one's bearings

Example

Er orientiert sich an der Karte.

He is using the map to find his bearings.

Illustration for orientieren (find one's bearings)

More examples

Nach dem Umzug musste sie sich neu orientieren.

After the move, she had to reorient herself.

Core concept

A person uses a frame of reference to make sense of surroundings, facts, or a new situation.

Common phrases

  • sich an einer Karte orientieren

    orient oneself using a map

  • sich am Kompass orientieren

    orient oneself with a compass

  • sich neu orientieren

    reorient oneself

Similar words

sich zurechtfinden: Working out where one is and how to get somewhere from landmarks or directions.
nachschauen: Looking up needed information or confirming a location on a map or screen.

Definition in German

Jemanden über etwas informieren; reflexiv: sich orientieren bedeutet die eigene Richtung oder Lage feststellen und sich an Bezugspunkten ausrichten.

Word origin

Orientieren is related to Latin oriens, the rising sun or east, whose directional meaning developed into the general idea of establishing orientation.

Usage tips

  • Sich neu orientieren often means changing one's professional or personal direction rather than simply locating oneself again.

Other meanings

  • get an idea ofverb
  • informverb

Opposites

  • verirrenlose one's wayverb

Related words

  • Orientierungorientationnoun
  • orientierungslosdirectionlessadjective

Word lists with this word