sich auseinander|setzen
Translation
to deal with, to grapple with, to examine, to confront
Examples
Man muss sich mit der Kritik auseinandersetzen.
One has to deal with the criticism.
Er setzte sich intensiv mit dem Thema auseinander.
He dealt with the topic intensively.
Grammar Patterns
((refl.)) ((with sth.)) to deal with sth. One has to deal with the criticism.
Similar Words
sich befassen mit (to deal with), sich beschäftigen mit (to be occupied with), behandeln (to treat)
Etymology
From 'auseinander' (apart) and 'setzen' (to set). Literally, 'to set oneself apart with something' to analyse it.
Memory Tips
Imagine taking a complex topic 'apart' ('auseinander') and 'setting' ('setzen') down the pieces to examine each one.