verb

einteilen

organize · divide up · divide

Etwas in bestimmte Gruppen, Abschnitte oder Aufgaben ordnen oder aufteilen.

Definition & meaning

The German verb einteilen primarily means to divide a whole into several parts or sections. It is used in three main contexts:

Dividing physical objects or structures: This refers to splitting something into smaller segments. For example, one might divide a cake into pieces or a book into specific chapters.
Managing resources or time: This is perhaps the most common usage in daily life. It means to organize or budget limited resources—such as money, time, or energy—so that they last for a specific duration or suffice for a task.
Assigning people to tasks: In a professional or organizational context, it means to designate individuals to specific roles, shifts, or duties. For example, a manager might assign employees to a weekend shift.

Grammar & Word origin

einteilen is a separable verb (trennbares Verb). In a main clause in the present tense, the prefix ein- moves to the end of the sentence (e.g., "Ich teile meine Zeit ein").

Prefix: ein (into/in)
Base verb: teilen (to divide/share)
Past Participle: eingeteilt
Imperfect: teilte ein

Etymologically, it combines the idea of "sharing or splitting" (teilen) with a sense of "into" a specific order or structure (ein-).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

Regarding structure: unterteilen (to subdivide), gliedern (to structure/organize), partitionieren (to partition).
Regarding resources: portionieren (to portion out), haushalten (to budget/economize).
Regarding people: zuweisen (to assign), heranziehen (to call upon for a task).

Antonyms:

Regarding structure: zusammenfügen (to join together), vereinen (to unite).
Regarding resources: verschwenden (to waste/squander), verprassen (to blow/waste money).
Regarding organization: durcheinanderbringen (to mess up/disorganize).