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 ask / request
„Bitten“ generally refers to a polite request. „Appellieren“ is an urgent, often emotional appeal intended to bring about an action or attitude. „Bitten“ is suitable for a normal request; „appellieren“ fits when there is particular emphasis or serious reasons.
Wegen der schwer kranken Patienten appelliert die Ärztin an die Besucher, im Flur leise zu sein.
Because the patients are seriously ill, the doctor appeals to the visitors to keep quiet in the hallway.
Die Ärztin bittet die Besucher, im Flur leise zu sein.
The doctor asks the visitors to keep quiet in the hallway.
