to fuel / stoke
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to fuel
To stoke, strengthen, or intensify something, often something abstract such as a debate, a conflict, or the economy. It acts like a catalyst that accelerates a development.
Die neuen Gerüchte befeuern die Spekulationen über einen Rücktritt des Ministers.
The new rumors are fueling speculation about the minister’s resignation.
to stoke
To supply a fireplace, stove, furnace, or similar installation with fuel in order to light a fire or keep it burning.
Der Heizer musste den Kessel des Dampfschiffs ständig mit Kohle befeuern.
The stoker had to constantly stoke the steamship’s boiler with coal.
'Befeuern' (to fuel/stoke) is an inseparable verb because it has the prefix 'be-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb 'feuern' in all sentence forms and tenses.
Die positive Kritik hat seinen Wunsch, weiterzumachen, befeuert.
The positive criticism fueled his desire to keep going.
You can tell whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended from the object. If it is something concrete like 'Ofen' (stove) or 'Kamin' (fireplace), it is about fire. If it is something abstract like 'Debatte' (debate) or 'Konflikt' (conflict), the figurative meaning 'verstärken' (to strengthen/intensify) is meant.
Er befeuert den Kamin mit trockenem Holz.
He stokes the fireplace with dry wood.
In the figurative meaning, 'befeuern' (to fuel) is often combined with abstract nouns. Common combinations are 'eine Debatte befeuern' (to fuel a debate), 'einen Konflikt befeuern' (to fuel a conflict), 'die Fantasie befeuern' (to fire the imagination), or 'das Wirtschaftswachstum befeuern' (to fuel economic growth).
Die Rede des Politikers befeuerte den Streit nur noch mehr.
The politician’s speech only fueled the dispute even more.
If you want to name the fuel in the literal meaning, use the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative. You stoke something (accusative) with something (dative).
Früher befeuerte man die Lokomotiven mit Kohle.
In the past, locomotives were stoked with coal.
to stoke
Schüren and befeuern can both intensify a conflict. Schüren usually emphasizes deliberately feeding a negative development. Befeuern describes more generally an influence that accelerates or intensifies a development, without this always having to be intentional.
Der neue Bericht befeuert den Konflikt zusätzlich, obwohl das nicht beabsichtigt war.
The new report is further fueling the conflict, although this was not intended.
Der Politiker schürt den Konflikt bewusst mit gezielten Lügen.
The politician is deliberately stoking the conflict with targeted lies.
