to encourage
Loading your saved state.
encourage
To give someone courage, confidence, or hope so that he or she does something specific or masters a difficult situation.
Die Lehrerin ermutigte die Schülerin, sich für den Wettbewerb anzumelden.
The teacher encouraged the student to sign up for the competition.
encourage
To actively promote or support a particular behavior or development.
Die Regierung ermutigt durch Steuererleichterungen den Kauf von Elektroautos.
Through tax breaks, the government is encouraging the purchase of electric cars.
The verb 'ermutigen' (to encourage) is derived from the noun 'der Mut' (courage). The prefix 'er-' often indicates the beginning of a process—here, making someone courageous. As a verb with 'er-', it is inseparable.
Ein gutes Wort kann einen Menschen wirklich ermutigen.
A kind word can really encourage a person.
'Ermutigen' (to encourage) is very often used with an infinitive construction. The pattern is: 'jemanden (Akkusativ) ermutigen, etwas zu tun' (to encourage someone to do something). Alternatively, you can encourage someone 'zu etwas (Dativ)' (toward/to something).
Ich ermutige dich, deine Meinung offen zu sagen.
I encourage you to express your opinion openly.
In this meaning, someone is often encouraged to take on a challenge or overcome an obstacle. Typical actions are: applying for something, taking a trip, not giving up, or pursuing one's dreams.
Seine Eltern ermutigten ihn, im Ausland zu studieren.
His parents encouraged him to study abroad.
You can recognize this meaning by the fact that the subject is often an institution (government, company) and the object is an abstract development. It is less about personal confidence and more about promoting trends or behavior.
Die Politik will Investitionen in grüne Technologien ermutigen.
Policymakers want to encourage investment in green technologies.
to build up
Aufbauen and ermutigen can both help someone who is unsure of themselves. Aufbauen mainly strengthens someone emotionally after a difficult experience, while ermutigen also gives them the courage to take a specific action or face a particular situation. Choose aufbauen to comfort someone, and ermutigen when they are supposed to do or cope with something.
Vor dem nächsten Vortrag ermutigte die Lehrerin den Schüler, es noch einmal zu versuchen.
Before the next presentation, the teacher encouraged the student to try again.
Nach dem misslungenen Vortrag baute die Lehrerin den Schüler wieder auf.
After the unsuccessful presentation, the teacher cheered the student up.
