Verb

beschaffen

Translation

to procure, to obtain, to get, to provide

Ich muss mir neue Informationen beschaffen.

I have to get new information.

Die Firma beschafft die nötigen Rohstoffe.

The company procures the necessary raw materials.

Wie ist die Ware beschaffen?

What is the quality of the goods like?

((sich3)) ((et4)) to get sth. for oneself Ich muss mir neue Schuhe beschaffen.

((j-m)) ((et4)) to procure sth. for sb. Can you procure the book for me?

((wie)) beschaffen sein to be of a certain nature/quality What is the material like?

besorgen (to get), organisieren (to organize), erwerben (to acquire)

From the prefix 'be-' (acting upon something) and 'schaffen' (to create, to make). It literally means 'to act upon something to make it available'.

Think of 'be-schaffen' as actively 'creating' (schaffen) a way to get something you need. You're making it happen.