encouraging
Loading your saved state.
encouraging
Describing an effect that gives someone courage, hope, or confidence. Something that motivates a person to keep going or to dare to do something.
Deine positiven Worte vor der Prüfung waren wirklich sehr ermutigend.
Your positive words before the exam were really very encouraging.
The word is the present participle of the verb 'ermutigen' (to encourage). This verb is made up of the prefix 'er-', the noun 'Mut' (courage), and the ending '-igen'. It literally means to give someone courage or to bring about a state of courage.
Sein Lob war sehr ermutigend für das ganze Team.
His praise was very encouraging for the whole team.
'Ermutigend' (encouraging) can stand before a noun like a typical adjective or describe an action as an adverb. It can also be used on its own as a predicative adjective with verbs like 'sein' (to be) or 'wirken' (to seem/have an effect).
Das war ein ermutigendes Ergebnis.
That was an encouraging result.
Common positive things that are described as 'ermutigend' (encouraging) are 'Worte' (words), 'Zeichen' (signs), 'Ergebnisse' (results), or 'Nachrichten' (messages/news).
Trotz der Schwierigkeiten gab es einige ermutigende Zeichen.
Despite the difficulties, there were some encouraging signs.
calming / reassuring
Beruhigend and ermutigend can both describe positive information in an uncertain situation. Beruhigend mainly reduces existing worries and provides reassurance, while ermutigend additionally boosts courage or the desire to keep going. Use beruhigend for fear and ermutigend when someone is meant to take action or continue.
Die Nachricht, dass das Team noch gewinnen kann, war für die enttäuschten Spieler ermutigend.
The news that the team could still win was encouraging to the disappointed players.
Die Nachricht, dass niemand verletzt wurde, war für die besorgten Eltern beruhigend.
The news that no one had been injured was reassuring to the worried parents.
