to evoke / awaken
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to give the impression
To evoke a certain impression, feeling, or idea in someone.
Sein Schweigen erweckte den Eindruck, dass er mit der Entscheidung nicht einverstanden war.
His silence gave the impression that he did not agree with the decision.
to arouse
To cause a feeling such as interest, curiosity, or pity to arise in someone.
Der geheimnisvolle Koffer erweckte seine Neugier.
The mysterious suitcase aroused his curiosity.
to awaken
To bring someone out of sleep; to wake someone up. This use is often elevated or literary.
Sie wurde sanft durch die ersten Sonnenstrahlen erweckt.
She was gently awakened by the first rays of sunlight.
to bring to life
To make something or someone that was dead or lifeless alive again. This is often used in a figurative or religious sense.
Die alte Legende wurde durch das Theaterstück wieder zum Leben erweckt.
The old legend was brought back to life through the play.
The verb 'erwecken' (to evoke/awaken) is inseparable. The prefix 'er-' remains firmly attached to the stem 'wecken' in all sentence forms. It often indicates that something is successfully brought about or that a state is initiated.
Seine Rede hat in mir neue Hoffnung erweckt.
His speech awakened new hope in me.
'Erwecken' (to evoke/awaken) always requires an accusative object. You ask: whom or what does someone awaken/evoke? This object is usually a feeling, an impression, or a person.
Der Film erweckte großes Interesse bei den Zuschauern.
The film aroused great interest among the viewers.
The fixed expression 'den Eindruck erwecken' (to give the impression) is especially common. It is often combined with a 'dass' clause or the preposition 'von' (of).
Er erweckt den Eindruck, als wüsste er alles besser.
He gives the impression that he thinks he knows everything better.
In this meaning, 'erwecken' (to arouse/evoke) is typically combined with abstract nouns that describe feelings or ideas. Common combinations are: 'Interesse erwecken' (to arouse interest), 'Neugier erwecken' (to arouse curiosity), 'Mitleid erwecken' (to arouse pity), 'Vertrauen erwecken' (to inspire trust), or 'Hoffnung erwecken' (to awaken hope).
Die Geschichte des alten Mannes erweckte unser Mitleid.
The old man's story aroused our pity.
In the meaning 'aufwecken' (to wake someone up), 'erwecken' (to awaken) is used almost exclusively in an elevated, literary, or poetic style. In normal everyday language, 'aufwecken' or 'wecken' is common.
Der Kuss des Prinzen erweckte die schlafende Prinzessin.
The prince's kiss awakened the sleeping princess.
The expression 'zum Leben erwecken' (to bring to life) is a fixed structure. It can be used literally, in a religious or mythical sense, or figuratively for the revitalization of something abstract or old.
Der Regisseur hat die Romanfiguren auf der Leinwand zum Leben erweckt.
The director brought the novel's characters to life on the screen.
to wake
Both words can cause interest, feelings, or an idea to arise. Wecken is neutral and very common in everyday language, while erwecken often sounds more elevated and is especially associated with an impression or an idea. For a simple statement about interest, wecken is usually the better choice; erwecken is also possible in formal language.
Der kurze Film erweckt Interesse an dem neuen Kurs.
The short film arouses interest in the new course.
Der kurze Film weckt Interesse an dem neuen Kurs.
The short film sparks interest in the new course.
