01
bewegen
to move
To change the position or location of something or yourself; to perform a physical movement. (weak verb)
example
Könntest du bitte den Tisch ein Stück nach links bewegen?
Could you please move the table a little to the left?
bewegen
to move
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Two conjugations
This verb has two conjugations, depending on the meaning. For physical movement, it is a weak verb (bewegte, hat bewegt). For the emotional or motivating meaning, it is a strong verb (bewog, hat bewogen).
EXAMPLE
Er hat den schweren Stein zur Seite bewegt.
He moved the heavy stone to the side.
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'be-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann meinen Arm nach der Verletzung kaum bewegen.
I can hardly move my arm after the injury.
Reflexive use
In the physical meaning, 'bewegen' (to move) is very often used reflexively: 'sich bewegen' (to move oneself / to exercise). This means that a person or living being moves their own body.
EXAMPLE
Ärzte empfehlen, sich jeden Tag mindestens 30 Minuten zu bewegen.
Doctors recommend moving for at least 30 minutes every day.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
When you persuade or motivate someone to do something, you use the structure 'jemanden (Akkusativ) zu etwas (Dativ) bewegen' (to move someone to something).
EXAMPLE
Ihre Argumente haben ihn zu einem Umdenken bewogen.
Her arguments moved him to rethink things.
Compare with
bewegen vs bringen
to bring
'bringen' and 'bewegen' can both express that someone does something because of some influence. In the phrase 'jemanden dazu bringen, etwas zu tun' (to get someone to do something), 'bringen' sounds very general: you can persuade someone, pressure someone, or cause them to do something through a situation. 'jemanden zu etwas bewegen' (to move someone to something) often sounds somewhat more formal and emphasizes the person's inner decision or motivation more strongly. Learners may confuse the words because the meaning is similar. The important thing is the form: 'man bringt jemanden dazu, etwas zu tun', but 'man bewegt jemanden zu etwas'.
bewegen
Das Gespräch mit der Ärztin bewegte ihn zu einer gesünderen Lebensweise.
The conversation with the doctor moved him to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
bringen
Der starke Regen brachte uns dazu, die Wanderung abzusagen.
The heavy rain made us cancel the hike.
In real life
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