01
begehren
to desire
To have a strong, intense longing for someone or something; to very much want to possess or achieve something or someone.
example
Er begehrte sie vom ersten Augenblick an.
He desired her from the very first moment.
begehren
to desire / request
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'be-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat nichts anderes begehrt als ein Leben in Frieden.
She desired nothing other than a life in peace.
Use with accusative
'Begehren' (to desire/request) is a transitive verb and always needs a direct object in the accusative. One always desires or requests 'etwas' (something) or 'jemanden' (someone).
EXAMPLE
Was begehrst du von mir?
What do you want from me?
Elevated style
'Begehren' (to desire/request) is a word of elevated, formal style. For strong desire, it is often used poetically or literarily, while in the sense of 'fordern' (to demand) it occurs in administrative and legal language.
EXAMPLE
Der Romanheld begehrte nur noch Rache für den Verrat.
The hero of the novel desired nothing but revenge for the betrayal.
Compare with
begehren vs lieben
to love
'lieben' and 'begehren' can both express strong feelings. 'lieben' means affection, closeness, or great enthusiasm. 'begehren' means a strong desire for someone or something. It is often about wanting to have, possess, or achieve someone or something. 'begehren' sounds significantly stronger, more serious, and less everyday than 'lieben'. With people, 'begehren' can also emphasize physical or romantic desire. Learners may confuse the words because both are intense. In practical terms: 'lieben' fits feeling and attachment; 'begehren' fits a strong wish or desire.
begehren
Viele Fans begehren dieses alte Trikot, weil es nur noch selten zu finden ist.
Many fans desire this old jersey because it is now rarely found.
lieben
Frau Yilmaz liebt lange Reisen, weil sie gern neue Orte entdeckt.
Ms. Yilmaz loves long trips because she enjoys discovering new places.
In real life
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