bereichern
to enrich
To make something more valuable, more varied, or richer in content.
EXAMPLE
Ein Auslandsjahr kann das Leben ungemein bereichern.
A year abroad can enrich your life tremendously.
bereichern
to enrich
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Meanings
sich bereichern
to enrich oneself
To acquire wealth for oneself at the expense of others or in an unlawful way.
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker wurde beschuldigt, sich an öffentlichen Geldern bereichert zu haben.
The politician was accused of having enriched himself with public funds.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb 'bereichern' (to enrich) is formed from the adjective 'reich' (rich). The prefix 'be-' often turns an adjective into a verb meaning 'to make something ...'. So 'bereichern' literally means 'to make rich'.
EXAMPLE
Ihre Ideen haben die Diskussion sehr bereichert.
Her ideas greatly enriched the discussion.
Context clue
The difference between the meanings is crucial: the reflexive form 'sich bereichern' (to enrich oneself) is always negative and means to obtain money illegally or immorally. The non-reflexive form 'bereichern' (to enrich) is positive and means to make something more valuable.
EXAMPLE
Diese Reise wird dein Leben bereichern.
This trip will enrich your life.
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'be-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er bereicherte seine Sammlung mit einem seltenen Stück.
He enriched his collection with a rare piece.
Sentence structure and usage pattern
In the negative meaning 'sich bereichern' (to enrich oneself), the preposition 'an' with the dative is almost always used to name the source of the unlawful gain.
EXAMPLE
Man wirft ihm vor, sich am Erbe seiner Tante bereichert zu haben.
He is accused of having enriched himself from his aunt's inheritance.
Compare with
bereichern vs ergänzen
to add / supplement
Ergänzen and bereichern can both refer to adding a useful element. Ergänzen emphasizes that something missing is added, making the whole more complete. Bereichern, by contrast, emphasizes that the addition makes the whole more valuable, varied, or richer in content.
bereichern
Die Referentin bereichert den bereits vollständigen Vortrag mit einem anschaulichen Praxisbeispiel.
The speaker enriches the already complete presentation with an illustrative practical example.
ergänzen
Die Referentin ergänzt den Vortrag um das noch fehlende Praxisbeispiel.
The speaker supplements the presentation with the practical example that was still missing.
In real life
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