to request
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to request
To ask someone for something, or to ask someone to do something, politely but formally and emphatically. This verb is used mainly in administrative, legal, and diplomatic language and is much more formal than 'bitten' (to ask).
Wir ersuchen Sie, den Betrag innerhalb von 14 Tagen zu überweisen.
We request that you transfer the amount within 14 days.
'Ersuchen' is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' changes the meaning of the base verb 'suchen' (to search) to 'nachdrücklich bitten' (to request emphatically).
Die Behörde hat ihn um eine Stellungnahme ersucht.
The authority requested a statement from him.
This verb is very formal and is used almost exclusively in administrative, legal, or diplomatic language. It is unusual in everyday speech.
Das Gericht ersuchte den Zeugen, seine Aussage zu wiederholen.
The court requested that the witness repeat his statement.
There are two typical constructions: you can say 'jemanden um etwas (Akkusativ) ersuchen' (to request something from someone) or 'jemanden ersuchen, etwas zu tun' (to request someone to do something, with a zu-infinitive).
Wir ersuchen Sie um die sofortige Rücksendung der Dokumente.
We request that you return the documents immediately.
to ask / request
'bitten' and 'ersuchen' both mean that you politely want someone to do something or give you something. 'bitten' is the normal everyday word and fits in almost all situations. 'ersuchen' is much more formal and sounds like administrative, legal, official, or bureaucratic language. In a conversation with friends or colleagues, 'ersuchen' usually sounds too stiff. If you want to speak naturally, you usually use 'bitten'; in official letters, 'ersuchen' may fit more precisely.
Die Behörde ersucht die Zeugen um eine schriftliche Aussage.
The authority requests a written statement from the witnesses.
Vor dem Termin bittet er seine Nachbarin um Hilfe.
Before the appointment, he asks his neighbor for help.