01
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
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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 brauchen
to need
'brauchen' and 'beanspruchen' can both mean that something requires time, space, or effort. 'brauchen' is more general and very common in everyday language: You need time, help, or money. 'beanspruchen' sounds a bit more precise when something takes up a certain share of time, space, or energy. It puts more emphasis on the burden or effort involved. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases you are talking about required resources. As a guide: 'brauchen' works almost always in everyday language, while 'beanspruchen' is especially suitable for effort, space, or time that is taken up by something.
beanspruchen
Die Reparatur beansprucht den ganzen Nachmittag.
The repair will take up the whole afternoon.
brauchen
Für die Planung brauchen wir ungefähr zwei Stunden.
We need about two hours for the planning.
In real life
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