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schaffen

manage

verb SHAH-fen Common
Communication

Also means

create

Usage Note

schaffen is really two verbs: weak schaffte/geschafft meaning 'to manage / get done', and strong schuf/geschaffen meaning 'to create'. The everyday Ich schaffe das ('I'll manage it') uses the weak sense, while Gott schuf die Welt uses the strong. Geschafft! alone means 'Made it!'

Examples

"Ich schaffe das nicht allein."

Natural Translation

I can't manage it alone.

Literal Translation

I manage that not alone.

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