beanspruchen
to require
To need or require something, for example time, space, or effort.
EXAMPLE
Diese Aufgabe beansprucht meine volle Aufmerksamkeit.
This task requires my full attention.
beanspruchen
to require / to claim / to strain
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Meanings
beanspruchen
to claim
To demand something for oneself or regard it as one's right.
EXAMPLE
Der Sportler beansprucht den Sieg für sich.
The athlete claims the victory for himself.
beanspruchen
to strain
To put heavy stress on something or strain it so that it reaches its limits.
EXAMPLE
Das ständige Heben von schweren Kisten beansprucht seinen Rücken sehr.
Constantly lifting heavy boxes strains his back a lot.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Beanspruchen' (to require / to claim / to strain) is an inseparable verb because it begins with 'be-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Die Reisevorbereitungen haben viel Zeit beansprucht.
The travel preparations took up a lot of time.
Sentence structure with accusative
This verb always needs an accusative object. So the structure is: someone or something beansprucht (requires / claims / strains) someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder beanspruchen ihre Eltern den ganzen Tag.
The children demand their parents' attention all day.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from the object: if it is about resources like 'Zeit' (time) or 'Platz' (space), it means 'benötigen' (to require). If a person demands something, such as 'den Sieg' (the victory), it means 'fordern' (to claim/demand). If it is about body parts or material, such as 'Rücken' (back) or 'Motor' (engine), it means 'belasten' (to strain).
EXAMPLE
Diese Arbeit beansprucht meine ganze Kraft.
This work requires all my strength.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'benötigen' (to require), the verb is often combined with abstract nouns that describe resources. Typical examples are: Zeit beanspruchen (to require/take up time), Platz beanspruchen (to require/take up space), Geduld beanspruchen (to require patience), or Hilfe beanspruchen (to require help).
EXAMPLE
Das neue Sofa beansprucht fast das ganze Wohnzimmer.
The new sofa takes up almost the whole living room.
Typical collocations
When it means 'belasten' (to strain), it is often used in relation to the body or to material. Common combinations are: die Muskeln beanspruchen (to strain/use the muscles), die Gelenke beanspruchen (to strain the joints), or die Nerven beanspruchen (to strain the nerves).
EXAMPLE
Das stundenlange Sitzen am Schreibtisch beansprucht den Rücken.
Sitting at the desk for hours strains the back.
Compare with
beanspruchen vs fordern
to demand / challenge
Fordern describes a task or performance requiring effort, ability, or attention from someone. Beanspruchen emphasizes more strongly that specific resources such as time or effort are needed, or that something is placed under considerable strain. Use fordern for the general demand and beanspruchen when resources or limits of endurance are important.
beanspruchen
Die schwierige Prüfung beanspruchte den Schülern den ganzen Vormittag.
The difficult exam took up the students' entire morning.
fordern
Die schwierige Prüfung forderte von den Schülern viel Konzentration.
The difficult exam demanded a great deal of concentration from the students.
In real life
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