schaffen
/ˈʃafən/
Definition
To manage to do something difficult, or to create and make something. It captures both achievement and creation.
Example
Ich habe es endlich geschafft, den Berg zu besteigen.
Show translation
I finally managed to climb the mountain.
Etymology
From Middle High German *schaffen*, from Old High German *scaffan* ("to create, arrange, procure"), related to Old English *scieppan* ("to shape, create") — the same root that gives English "shape." Over centuries in German, the word split into two main senses: the creative sense (*ein Kunstwerk schaffen* — to create a work of art) and the colloquial achievement sense (*es schaffen* — to manage, to pull it off).
Cultural note
*Es schaffen* is one of the most motivating phrases in everyday German. "Du schaffst das!" ("You can do it!") is the quintessential German pep talk. Note the important false friend risk: the Swiss German *schaffen* commonly means simply "to work" (*Ich schaffe den ganzen Tag* = "I work all day"), which can confuse learners used to Standard German. Don't mix it up with *schlafen* (to sleep) — a very common beginner slip!