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wirtschaften

to manage money; to run a business economically

verb VIRT-shaf-ten Rare
People & Society Money

Also means

to be economical

Usage Note

wirtschaften means to manage finances, especially carefully or efficiently. Gut wirtschaften = to manage well; schlecht wirtschaften = to mismanage. Also used for running a household budget (im Haushalt wirtschaften). Common in political commentary on fiscal policy.

Examples

"Die Gemeinde muss angesichts sinkender Steuereinnahmen sparsamer wirtschaften."

Natural Translation

The municipality must manage its finances more frugally given falling tax revenues.

Literal Translation

The municipality must in-view-of falling tax-revenues more-frugally manage.

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