to appeal
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to appeal to
To direct an urgent, often emotional appeal or request to someone or a group in order to bring about a particular action or attitude.
Die Hilfsorganisation appelliert an die Bevölkerung, für die Opfer der Naturkatastrophe zu spenden.
The aid organization is appealing to the public to donate for the victims of the natural disaster.
'Appellieren' is very similar to the English 'to appeal' when it means making an appeal. But 'to appeal' can also mean 'gefallen' (to please) or 'attraktiv sein' (to be attractive). 'Appellieren' does not have this second meaning in German.
Der Präsident appellierte an die Einheit des Landes.
The president appealed to the unity of the country.
The verb 'appellieren' (to appeal) is always used with the preposition 'an' and the accusative. You appeal to someone or to something.
Der Bürgermeister appellierte an die Bürger, Wasser zu sparen.
The mayor appealed to the citizens to save water.
Very often, the construction with 'an' is expanded with an infinitive clause using 'zu'. This expresses what someone is being called upon to do.
Die Lehrerin appellierte an die Schüler, leiser zu sein.
The teacher appealed to the students to be quieter.
People often appeal to abstract concepts in order to evoke a moral response. Typical phrases are 'an die Vernunft appellieren' (to appeal to reason), 'an das Gewissen appellieren' (to appeal to the conscience), or 'an die Solidarität appellieren' (to appeal to solidarity).
In seiner Rede appellierte er an das Gewissen der Abgeordneten.
In his speech, he appealed to the conscience of the members of parliament.
to convince
'überzeugen' and 'appellieren' both have to do with influencing other people. 'überzeugen' means that someone adopts a different opinion because of arguments, evidence, or the way a person presents themselves. The result is the main focus: the other person believes something or agrees. 'appellieren an', on the other hand, means to direct an urgent appeal or request to someone. Emotion or responsibility is often important here, but it is not certain that the person is really convinced afterward. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in discussions and public situations. In practical terms: you convince someone with reasons; you appeal to someone with an urgent request.
Die Ärztin appelliert an die Eltern, das Kind zu Hause ausruhen zu lassen.
The doctor appeals to the parents to let the child rest at home.
Im Kurs überzeugt du die Gruppe mit deinem klaren Beispiel.
In the course, you convince the group with your clear example.