Verb

sich befassen

Translation

to deal with, to concern oneself with, to be engaged in, to study

Er befasste sich mit dem Problem.

He dealt with the problem.

Womit befasst sich dein neues Buch?

What does your new book deal with?

((oneself)) ((with sth.)) to deal with sth. I am dealing with a difficult topic.

Synonyms: sich beschäftigen mit, sich auseinandersetzen mit

From prefix be- + fassen (to grasp). To mentally 'grasp' a topic, meaning to engage with it deeply.

Think of 'fastening' your attention to a subject. Requires the reflexive pronoun 'sich'.