antreiben
to motivate
To motivate, push, or spur someone on to do something or to work faster.
EXAMPLE
Der Trainer treibt die Mannschaft an, ihr Bestes zu geben.
The coach motivates the team to give their best.
antreiben
to drive / motivate
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
antreiben
to drive
To supply a machine or vehicle with energy and set it in motion.
EXAMPLE
Ein starker Dieselmotor treibt das Schiff an.
A powerful diesel engine drives the ship.
antreiben
to wash ashore
To be driven by water or wind to a place, usually to a coast or shore.
EXAMPLE
Am Strand sind viele Muscheln und Algen angetrieben.
Many shells and seaweed have washed ashore on the beach.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Antreiben' (to drive/motivate) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' comes at the end in a main clause; in subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, it is attached to the verb. In the 'zu' construction, 'zu' comes between the prefix and the verb.
EXAMPLE
Der Motor treibt das Rad an.
The motor drives the wheel.
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'an-' and the base verb 'treiben' (to drive). 'Treiben' means to set something in motion or to push/drive something. The prefix 'an-' strengthens the idea of initiating something or pushing it in a certain direction.
EXAMPLE
Was treibt dich an, jeden Morgen so früh aufzustehen?
What drives you to get up so early every morning?
Choice of auxiliary verb
The perfect tense is formed with 'haben' (to have) when it is about motivating people or operating machines. When something is washed up onto a coast, you use the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Der Kapitän hat das Team die ganze Zeit angetrieben.
The captain pushed the team on the whole time.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
When you want to express what someone is motivated or driven to do, an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to) often follows. The pattern is: jemanden (accusative) antreiben, etwas zu tun (to drive/motivate someone to do something).
EXAMPLE
Die Konkurrenz treibt uns an, unsere Produkte ständig zu verbessern.
The competition motivates us to constantly improve our products.
Technical context
In this meaning, 'antreiben' (to drive) is almost always used in a technical context. Typical subjects are engines or energy sources; typical objects are vehicles or machines. It is often used in the passive.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto wird von einem Elektromotor angetrieben.
The car is driven by an electric motor.
Context: forces of nature
This meaning describes a passive process. The subject is an inanimate object that is moved by water or wind. The acting force (e.g., the current) is often not mentioned.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturm sind viele Algen am Ufer angetrieben.
After the storm, a lot of seaweed washed ashore.
Compare with
antreiben vs betreiben
to operate / pursue
Betreiben and antreiben can both occur in connection with a machine running, but they refer to different aspects. Betreiben means using and keeping a facility running, while antreiben refers to supplying energy and setting something in motion. Betreiben fits the person responsible for or using it; antreiben fits the motor or energy source.
antreiben
Ein Elektromotor treibt die Anlage mit erneuerbarer Energie an.
An electric motor drives the facility using renewable energy.
betreiben
Die Stadt betreibt die Anlage und kontrolliert sie jeden Morgen.
The city operates the facility and inspects it every morning.
In real life
Loading video examples...