sich bemühen
to strive
To make an effort or try hard in order to achieve a specific goal.
EXAMPLE
Sie bemüht sich sehr, ihre Deutschkenntnisse zu verbessern.
She is trying very hard to improve her German skills.
bemühen
to strive / to trouble
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Meanings
jemanden bemühen
to trouble someone
To ask someone for help or a service and thereby inconvenience them. Usually used in formal or polite contexts.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte nicht extra den Hausmeister bemühen, die Glühbirne zu wechseln.
I don't want to trouble the caretaker just to change the light bulb.
etwas bemühen
to invoke something
To draw on or use something, for example an example, a comparison, or a quote, in order to explain or support something.
EXAMPLE
Um die komplexe Situation zu erklären, musste der Redner einen historischen Vergleich bemühen.
To explain the complex situation, the speaker had to invoke a historical comparison.
Usage tips
Word family
'Bemühen' (to strive / to trouble) is related to the noun 'die Mühe' (effort). The inseparable prefix 'be-' turns it into a verb that describes an action.
EXAMPLE
Er bemüht sich, pünktlich zu sein.
He is trying to be on time.
Context clue
The meaning depends on the object: Is it used with a reflexive pronoun ('sich bemühen' — to make an effort), a person ('jemanden bemühen' — to trouble someone), or a thing ('einen Vergleich bemühen' — to invoke a comparison)?
EXAMPLE
Ich bemühe mich um eine schnelle Antwort.
I am making an effort to provide a quick answer.
Sentence structure and usage patterns
In this reflexive meaning, there are two typical constructions: 'sich bemühen um + Akkusativ' (to make an effort to get/obtain something) or 'sich bemühen, etwas zu tun' (to try to do something; infinitive with zu).
EXAMPLE
Der Student bemüht sich um ein Stipendium.
The student is trying to get a scholarship.
Register
The expression 'jemanden bemühen' (to trouble someone) is a very polite and formal way to ask someone for help. It expresses that you are aware of the inconvenience caused.
EXAMPLE
Dafür müssen Sie nicht extra den Chef bemühen, das kann ich für Sie erledigen.
You don't need to trouble the boss especially for that; I can take care of it for you.
Typical collocations
This meaning is often used in argumentative or intellectual contexts. Typical objects are: einen Vergleich bemühen (to invoke a comparison), ein Beispiel bemühen (to invoke/use an example), eine Statistik bemühen (to cite/use a statistic).
EXAMPLE
Um seinen Standpunkt zu stärken, bemühte er eine aktuelle Studie.
To strengthen his point of view, he cited a recent study.
Compare with
bemühen vs versuchen
to try / taste
Versuchen and sich bemühen can both express that a goal has not yet been reached for certain. Versuchen emphasizes the individual or general attempt, while sich bemühen highlights the willingness and effort involved. Choose sich bemühen when the person’s effort is particularly important.
bemühen
Ich bemühe mich, die schwere Tür mit viel Kraft zu öffnen.
I’m making a great effort to open the heavy door.
versuchen
Ich versuche, die schwere Tür zu öffnen.
I’m trying to open the heavy door.
In real life
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