verb

bewältigen

cope · overcome · cope with

Etwas Schwieriges erfolgreich schaffen oder mit einer belastenden Situation umgehen.

Definition & meaning

The verb bewältigen refers to successfully dealing with a task, a challenge, or a difficult situation. It implies that the subject has exerted effort to overcome an obstacle or finish a demanding project.

There are two primary ways to understand this word:

To overcome or conquer: This is used when facing a difficult problem, a crisis, or an emotional burden (e.g., overcoming a trauma or a professional challenge).
To manage or handle: This is used in the context of completing a specific volume of work, distance, or a quantity (e.g., managing a large workload or traveling a long distance).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

Part of speech: Verb (weak, separable prefix).
Conjugation: Regular (bewältigt, bewältigte, hat bewältigt).
Usage: It is almost always used with an accusative object (e.g., Ich bewältige die Aufgabe - I am handling the task).

Origin: The word is derived from the prefix be- (indicating a transitive action) and the Middle High German word waltigen, which comes from walten (to rule, to govern, to have power over). Historically, it implies having the "power" or "control" necessary to bring a situation to a successful conclusion.