to discourage
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to discourage
To take away someone's courage, hope, or motivation to do something or continue doing something. It causes someone to become uncertain or pessimistic.
Lass dich von einem kleinen Rückschlag nicht sofort entmutigen.
Don't let a small setback discourage you right away.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'ent-' and the noun 'Mut' (courage). The prefix 'ent-' here means 'to take away'. So 'entmutigen' (to discourage) literally means to take away someone's courage.
Die schlechten Nachrichten haben das Team nicht entmutigt.
The bad news did not discourage the team.
'Entmutigen' (to discourage) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ent-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all conjugated forms and sentence types.
Er entmutigte seine Kinder nie, ihre Träume zu verfolgen.
He never discouraged his children from pursuing their dreams.
A very common and useful phrase is 'sich nicht entmutigen lassen' (to not let oneself be discouraged). It expresses that you keep going despite difficulties.
Auch wenn es am Anfang schwer ist, solltest du dich nicht entmutigen lassen.
Even if it is difficult at the beginning, you should not let yourself be discouraged.
The reason for the discouragement is often introduced with the preposition 'durch' (by / through) and the accusative. The past participle 'entmutigt' (discouraged) is also often used as an adjective.
Viele Schüler wurden durch die schwere Prüfung entmutigt.
Many students were discouraged by the difficult exam.
to prevent / hold
Both words can explain why someone does not do something or gives it up. „Abhalten“ focuses on preventing the action, while „entmutigen“ focuses on the loss of courage, hope, or motivation. When the emphasis is on an external influence, „abhalten“ is more precise; when it is about someone's inner attitude, „entmutigen“ is appropriate.
Die verschlossene Tür entmutigte ihn, das Gebäude überhaupt betreten zu wollen.
The locked door discouraged him from even wanting to enter the building.
Die verschlossene Tür hielt ihn davon ab, das Gebäude zu betreten.
The locked door prevented him from entering the building.
