to germinate
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to germinate
The beginning growth of a plant from a seed, in which the seedling breaks through the seed coat.
Nach ein paar Tagen in der feuchten Erde begannen die Kressesamen zu keimen.
After a few days in the moist soil, the cress seeds began to germinate.
to germinate
In a figurative sense, the slow emergence or development of a feeling, thought, or idea.
Während des Gesprächs keimte in ihm ein schrecklicher Verdacht.
During the conversation, a terrible suspicion began to germinate in him.
The verb 'keimen' (to germinate) is closely related to the noun 'der Keim' (the sprout, the beginning). When something germinates, the Keim develops. This connection helps you understand both the literal and the figurative meaning.
Der Keim einer neuen Idee begann sich in ihrem Kopf zu entwickeln.
The germ of a new idea began to develop in her mind.
In the literal meaning, the perfect tense of 'keimen' (to germinate) is often formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), because it describes a change of state: the seed moves from dormancy into growth.
Die Bohnen, die wir gepflanzt haben, sind schon nach zwei Tagen gekeimt.
The beans we planted germinated after just two days.
In the figurative meaning, the structure '[feeling/thought] keimt in [person in the dative]' is often used. The feeling is the subject of the sentence.
In ihm keimte der Wunsch, die Welt zu bereisen.
The desire to travel the world began to germinate in him.
In the figurative sense, 'keimen' (to germinate) is combined with abstract nouns that describe a slow emergence. Common combinations are: 'Hoffnung keimt' (hope germinates), 'ein Verdacht keimt' (a suspicion germinates), 'Zweifel keimen' (doubts germinate), or 'eine Idee keimt' (an idea germinates).
Trotz der schlechten Nachrichten keimte in ihr neue Hoffnung auf.
Despite the bad news, new hope began to germinate in her.
to grow / to wax
Wachsen and keimen can both describe the increasing development of a feeling or thought. However, keimen emphasizes its initial, still slow emergence, while wachsen refers to something that already exists and is becoming stronger. Use keimen for the beginning, and usually wachsen afterward.
Nach dem Gespräch keimte in ihr der Wunsch nach einem neuen Anfang.
After the conversation, a desire for a new beginning began to take root in her.
Mit der Zeit wuchs in ihr der Wunsch nach einem neuen Anfang.
Over time, her desire for a new beginning grew.
