sich annähern
to approach
To move spatially toward someone or something and reduce the distance.
EXAMPLE
Langsam näherte sich die Katze dem Vogel an.
Slowly, the cat approached the bird.
annähern
to approach / approximate
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Meanings
sich annähern
to come closer
To become more similar in opinions, positions, or characteristics; to reach an agreement.
EXAMPLE
Nach langer Diskussion näherten sich die beiden Parteien in ihren Standpunkten an.
After a long discussion, the two parties came closer in their positions.
annähern
to approximate
In mathematics, to replace or calculate an exact value using a simpler, nearby value or expression.
EXAMPLE
Man kann die Kreiszahl Pi durch den Bruch 22/7 annähern.
You can approximate the number pi with the fraction 22/7.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Annähern' (to approach / approximate) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' comes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Das Schiff nähert sich dem Hafen an.
The ship is approaching the harbor.
Word family
The verb 'annähern' (to approach / approximate) belongs to the word family of 'nah' (near) and 'die Nähe' (closeness / proximity). All of these words have to do with a short distance, whether spatially or figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder wollten sich den Tieren im Zoo annähern.
The children wanted to approach the animals at the zoo.
Sentence structure with dative
The verb 'sich annähern' (to approach / come closer to) is often used reflexively. The target that one approaches is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Wanderer nähert sich dem Gipfel an.
The hiker is approaching the summit.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear: If it is about places or objects, spatial movement is meant. If it is about opinions or people, the figurative meaning is meant. If it is about numbers, the mathematical meaning is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Fronten im Konflikt haben sich angenähert.
The opposing sides in the conflict have come closer.
Compare with
annähern vs Annäherung
approach / rapprochement / approximation
Die Annäherung and sich annähern can describe the same process, in which positions become more similar. Die Annäherung names this process as a thing or result; sich annähern describes what the people involved do as a verb. The choice therefore depends on the sentence structure here.
annähern
Die beiden Gruppen näherten sich nach mehreren Gesprächen deutlich an.
The two groups clearly moved closer together after several discussions.
Annäherung
Die Annäherung der beiden Gruppen wurde nach mehreren Gesprächen deutlich.
The rapprochement between the two groups became clear after several discussions.
In real life
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