to consult / approach / raise
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to consult / use
To consult someone or something for a specific task, or to use someone or something as the basis for a decision or comparison.
Für die Studie wurden Daten aus dem Vorjahr herangezogen.
Data from the previous year was used for the study.
to approach
To draw near or arise. Often used for weather phenomena or abstract dangers.
Am Horizont zog ein Gewitter heran.
A thunderstorm was approaching on the horizon.
to raise
To raise and bring up a child or a young animal.
Sie hat ihre beiden Söhne ganz allein herangezogen.
She raised her two sons all by herself.
to pull closer
To bring something closer to oneself by pulling it.
Er zog den Stuhl an den Tisch heran.
He pulled the chair up to the table.
to grow / cultivate
To cultivate plants and make them grow.
Auf dem Balkon zieht sie ihre eigenen Kräuter heran.
She grows her own herbs on the balcony.
'Heranziehen' (to consult / approach / raise) is a separable verb. The prefix 'heran-' comes at the end in a main clause, while it remains attached to the verb in a subordinate clause.
Der Anwalt zog für den Fall einen Spezialisten heran.
The lawyer consulted a specialist for the case.
The perfect tense is usually formed with 'haben' (to have). An important exception is the meaning 'sich nähern' (to approach), e.g. with weather; here 'sein' (to be) is used.
Sie hat ihre Kinder mit viel Liebe herangezogen.
She raised her children with a lot of love.
In the meaning 'zurate ziehen' (to consult) or 'verwenden' (to use), the word belongs more to formal written language and technical language, for example in academic or legal texts.
Zur Bewertung werden die Ergebnisse des letzten Quartals herangezogen.
The results from the last quarter are used for the evaluation.
Abstract things such as 'Daten' (data), 'Informationen' (information), 'Beispiele' (examples), or 'Kriterien' (criteria) are often 'herangezogen' (used/consulted). A person is also often consulted as an 'Experte' (expert) or 'Zeuge' (witness).
Können Sie ein anderes Beispiel zur Erklärung heranziehen?
Can you use another example for the explanation?
This meaning describes an impersonal, often slow approach. It is typically used for weather phenomena (thunderstorm, storm) or abstract dangers (disaster/misfortune).
Die Kinder spielten draußen, obwohl dunkle Wolken heranzogen.
The children were playing outside even though dark clouds were approaching.
When it comes to plants, 'heranziehen' (to grow/cultivate) is often combined with 'Gemüse' (vegetables), 'Kräuter' (herbs), or 'Setzlinge' (seedlings). It describes the whole process of planting and caring for them.
Er zieht auf seinem Fensterbrett Tomaten heran.
He grows tomatoes on his windowsill.
to approach / draw near
Both verbs can indicate that a storm or danger is drawing nearer. „Heranziehen“ describes the approaching or developing phenomenon more strongly. „Nahen“ focuses more on the fact that its arrival is imminent and also sounds more elevated. For weather warnings, „heranziehen“ is usually the more everyday choice.
Ein schweres Unwetter zieht heran, deshalb schließen wir die Fenster.
A severe storm is moving in, so we are closing the windows.
Ein schweres Unwetter naht, deshalb schließen wir die Fenster.
A severe storm is approaching, so we are closing the windows.
