to harbor / to nurture
Loading your saved state.
to harbor
To carry and maintain a feeling, thought, or intention within oneself over a longer period of time. Often used for doubts, wishes, resentment, or suspicion.
Sie hegte schon lange den Wunsch, nach Australien auszuwandern.
She had long harbored the wish to emigrate to Australia.
to nurture
To carefully care for and protect animals or plants and ensure their preservation. Especially common in forestry and hunting ('Wild hegen' — to manage and care for game).
Der Förster hegt den Wildbestand in seinem Revier.
The forester nurtures the game population in his district.
The verb 'hegen' (to harbor / to nurture) belongs to elevated language. It sounds more formal and poetic than everyday verbs.
Er hegte schon lange den Plan, ein Buch zu schreiben.
He had long harbored the plan to write a book.
In the first meaning, 'hegen' (to harbor) is almost always used with abstract nouns. Typical combinations are: 'einen Wunsch hegen' (to harbor a wish), 'einen Verdacht hegen' (to harbor a suspicion), 'Zweifel hegen' (to have doubts), 'Hoffnung hegen' (to harbor hope), or 'Groll hegen' (to bear resentment).
Die Polizei hegte den Verdacht, dass der Zeuge nicht die Wahrheit sagte.
The police harbored the suspicion that the witness was not telling the truth.
In the meaning of 'pflegen' (to care for), 'hegen' (to nurture) is often used in the fixed expression 'hegen und pflegen' (to cherish and care for). This combination emphasizes especially loving and intensive care.
Sie hegt und pflegt ihre Rosen mit großer Hingabe.
She nurtures and cares for her roses with great devotion.
to nourish
Hegen and nähren can both be used with a suspicion. To hegen a suspicion means to harbor it over a longer period of time. To nähren a suspicion, by contrast, means that something strengthens it or gives it new support.
Seit dem ersten Gespräch hegt sie einen Verdacht gegen ihren Kollegen.
She has harbored a suspicion about her colleague since their first conversation.
Der neue Widerspruch nährt ihren Verdacht gegen den Kollegen.
The new contradiction fuels her suspicion about her colleague.
