to get carried away / to captivate
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to get carried away
To let oneself be overwhelmed by strong feelings such as enthusiasm, anger, or passion and, as a result, act or say something thoughtlessly or impulsively.
In der hitzigen Diskussion ließ er sich zu einer beleidigenden Äußerung hinreißen.
In the heated discussion, he let himself get carried away into making an insulting remark.
The verb 'hinreißen' (to captivate / to carry away) is separable; the prefix 'hin' comes at the end in a main clause. It is derived from 'hin' (toward something) and 'reißen' (to pull/tear) and describes a strong emotional movement.
Seine Musik reißt einfach jeden hin.
His music simply captivates everyone.
The meaning 'impulsiv handeln' (to act impulsively) is used almost exclusively in the fixed reflexive construction 'sich zu etwas hinreißen lassen' (to let oneself get carried away into doing something). The 'etwas' (something) is the thoughtless action or statement.
Ich habe mich zu einem teuren Kauf hinreißen lassen, den ich jetzt bereue.
I let myself get carried away into making an expensive purchase that I now regret.
In the meaning 'begeistern' (to inspire/captivate), the verb is transitive: something, e.g. a performance, captivates someone (accusative object). The audience's reaction is often added with the preposition 'zu' (to).
Die Akrobaten rissen das Publikum zu lauten Rufen der Begeisterung hin.
The acrobats captivated the audience and moved them to loud shouts of enthusiasm.
The reflexive construction with 'sich' and 'lassen' is a clear signal for the meaning 'sich zu etwas verleiten lassen' (to let oneself be tempted into something). If these elements are missing, the meaning is usually 'begeistern' (to captivate/inspire).
Er ließ sich zu einer falschen Anschuldigung hinreißen.
He let himself get carried away into making a false accusation.
to move
'bewegen' and 'hinreißen' can both have to do with strong feelings. 'bewegen' means that something touches someone emotionally, for example a story, music, or a speech. This can be quiet, sad, or serious. 'hinreißen' is stronger and livelier. It often means that someone becomes very enthusiastic or is so strongly gripped by feelings that they act impulsively. Learners may confuse the words because both describe an emotional effect. 'bewegen' is broader and more neutral; 'hinreißen' emphasizes strong enthusiasm or being swept along by feelings.
Die Musik riss das Publikum so hin, dass alle am Ende aufstanden.
The music captivated the audience so much that everyone stood up at the end.
Die ruhige Rede der Ärztin bewegte viele Menschen im Saal.
The doctor's calm speech moved many people in the hall.