Demonstrieren

Demonstrieren is a German verb with two primary senses. In one sense it means to demonstrate in the sense of showing, proving or illustrating something. A scientist can demonstrieren the validity of a theory, a technician can demonstrieren the functioning of a device, or a presenter can demonstrieren a concept with examples or experiments. In the other sense it means to take part in or organize a public protest, i.e., to demonstrate for or against a policy, proposal, or social issue. In this usage, the noun Demonstration is commonly used for the event itself.

Etymology and related forms: Demonstrieren is a loanword from demonstrieren in the sense of proving, ultimately from the Latin demonstrare via French démontrer. The verb is regular in German conjugation and does not have a separable prefix. The past participle is demonstriert.

Grammar and usage: Conjugation in the present tense is ich demonstriere, du demonstrierst, er demonstriert, wir demonstrieren, ihr demonstriert, sie demonstrieren. The verb takes a direct object when used in the sense of proving or illustrating, for example: „Die Studie demonstriert den Zusammenhang.“ In the sense of public protest it is commonly combined with prepositions like für or gegen: „Sie demonstrieren gegen die Pläne der Regierung.“ For the event itself, one may also refer to „eine Demonstration“ or „eine Demo“ in colloquial speech.

Notes: Demonstrieren is distinct from belegen or nachweisen, which emphasize proof, and from demonstrieren in the protest sense, which emphasizes collective action in public space. Common collocations include demonstrieren gegen/für etwas, etwas demonstrieren, eine Demonstration organisieren.