sich erholen
to recover
To regain strength, health, and inner calm after exertion, illness, or a shock.
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub am Meer konnte ich mich vom Arbeitsstress gut erholen.
On vacation by the sea, I was able to recover well from work stress.
erholen
to recover
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Meanings
sich erholen
to recover
Refers to something (e.g., the economy, nature, prices) that returns to a better or normal state after a negative phase.
EXAMPLE
Die Aktienkurse haben sich nach dem starken Einbruch wieder etwas erholt.
Stock prices recovered somewhat after the sharp drop.
Usage tips
Reflexive verb
'Erholen' (to recover) is a reflexive verb and is almost always used with a reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, uns, euch). Man erholt sich (one recovers).
EXAMPLE
Du siehst müde aus, du solltest dich dringend erholen.
You look tired; you urgently need to recover.
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'er-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb 'holen' (to fetch) in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Ich hoffe, dass sich die Wirtschaft bald wieder erholt.
I hope that the economy recovers soon.
Correct preposition
When stating the reason why recovery is needed (e.g., an illness or stress), use the preposition 'von' with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Sie muss sich noch von der Operation erholen.
She still needs to recover from the operation.
Context clue
You can recognize this figurative meaning by the fact that the subject is not a person. It usually involves abstract or economic terms such as 'der Markt' (the market), 'die Preise' (the prices), or 'die Natur' (nature).
EXAMPLE
Der Wald erholt sich nur langsam von dem großen Brand.
The forest is recovering only slowly from the large fire.
Compare with
erholen vs entspannen
to relax
Sich entspannen primarily means reducing physical or mental tension and calming down. Sich erholen places greater emphasis on regaining strength and well-being after exertion, illness, or a shock. Use entspannen for a short period of rest, and erholen when the focus is on recovery.
erholen
Nach mehreren anstrengenden Arbeitstagen erhole ich mich am Wochenende und komme wieder zu Kräften.
After several exhausting days at work, I recover over the weekend and regain my strength.
entspannen
Nach dem stressigen Arbeitstag entspanne ich mich eine Stunde bei ruhiger Musik.
After a stressful day at work, I relax for an hour while listening to quiet music.
In real life
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