benachrichtige

Benachrichtigen is a German verb meaning to inform someone about something or to notify. It is used when one person or organization communicates information to another, often regarding changes, events, or decisions. The corresponding noun is Benachrichtigung, which refers to the act of notifying or the notification itself.

Grammar and usage notes: Benachrichtigen is a regular verb. In the present tense the forms are: ich benachrichtige, du benachrichtigst, er benachrichtigt, wir benachrichtigen, ihr benachrichtigt, sie benachrichtigen. The informal imperative for addressing someone directly is benachrichtige! The formal imperative is benachrichtigen Sie! The construction typically takes a direct object in the accusative (jemanden benachrichtigen) and, when specifying the information, a phrase with über: jemanden über etwas benachrichtigen. Passive voice uses wird benachrichtigt (es wird benachrichtigt).

Common usage: The verb is common in administrative, legal, and organizational contexts, as well as in everyday speech. It often implies delivering or communicating information, sometimes with a sense of obligation or timing. It can contrast with informieren, which is broader and sometimes more neutral, whereas benachrichtigen can carry a formal or official tone. In IT and digital contexts, one speaks of Benachrichtigungen and computers or apps that benachrichtigen users (e.g., push notifications).

Examples: Ich benachrichtige Sie, sobald der Termin feststeht. Bitte benachrichtigen Sie mich bei Änderungen. Der Dienst benachrichtigt die Nutzer über neue Funktionen. In der IT-Welt werden Benutzer durch Push-Benachrichtigungen benachrichtigt.

Related terms: Benachrichtigung (the notification), Benachrichtigungspflicht (duty to notify), and Benachrichtigungsdienst (notification service). The term is widely understood in German-speaking regions and appears in formal, administrative, and technical languages.