füttern
to feed
To give food to an animal or to a person who cannot eat independently, such as a baby.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder dürfen im Zoo die Ziegen füttern.
The children are allowed to feed the goats at the zoo.
füttern
to feed
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Meanings
füttern
to feed
To supply a machine, computer program, or system with data, information, or material.
EXAMPLE
Er musste den ganzen Nachmittag lang Zahlen in die Datenbank füttern.
He had to spend the whole afternoon feeding numbers into the database.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'füttern' (to feed) is the action that belongs to the noun 'das Futter' (animal feed). So it literally means to give food/feed to someone or to an animal.
EXAMPLE
Bitte gib den Tieren kein falsches Futter, wenn du sie fütterst.
Please don't give the animals the wrong feed when you feed them.
Sentence structure
The person or animal receiving the food is in the accusative. The food itself can be added with the preposition 'mit' (with) and the dative.
EXAMPLE
Die Mutter füttert ihr Baby mit einem Brei.
The mother feeds her baby with some porridge.
Context clue: technology
This figurative meaning is used almost exclusively in technical or digital contexts. When 'Daten' (data), 'Informationen' (information), 'Systemen' (systems), or 'Maschinen' (machines) are mentioned, this meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Der Programmierer fütterte den Algorithmus mit neuen Informationen.
The programmer fed the algorithm with new information.
Compare with
füttern vs versorgen
to provide / to treat
Both verbs can refer to providing food for an animal or person in need of help. „Füttern“ specifically means giving food, often when the person or animal cannot eat independently. „Versorgen“ is broader and also includes other necessary help.
füttern
Die Pflegekraft füttert das Baby nachts, weil es noch nicht selbstständig essen kann.
The caregiver feeds the baby at night because it cannot eat independently yet.
versorgen
Die Pflegekraft versorgt das Baby nachts mit Nahrung, Wärme und sauberer Kleidung.
The caregiver provides the baby with food, warmth, and clean clothes at night.
In real life
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