to preserve
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to preserve
To make food last longer through certain methods such as boiling/canning, pickling, or drying, in order to protect it from spoiling.
Jeden Sommer konservieren wir die Gurken aus unserem Garten in Essig.
Every summer we preserve the cucumbers from our garden in vinegar.
to preserve
To keep something in its existing condition and protect it from decay, destruction, or change.
Die alten Wandmalereien wurden aufwendig konserviert, um sie für die Nachwelt zu erhalten.
The old wall paintings were carefully preserved in order to keep them for posterity.
'Konservieren' (to preserve) is a verb ending in '-ieren', which often points to a Latin origin. The stem 'servare' means 'bewahren' (to preserve) or 'retten' (to save), which explains the basic meaning of the word.
Durch das Konservieren können wir Lebensmittel für den Winter haltbar machen.
By preserving food, we can make it last for the winter.
You can recognize the meaning from the object: If it is about food such as 'Obst' (fruit), 'Gemüse' (vegetables), or 'Fleisch' (meat), it refers to making it last. If it involves 'Gebäude' (buildings), 'Kunstwerke' (works of art), or a 'Zustand' (condition), it refers to protecting something from decay.
Wir haben die Kirschen aus dem Garten konserviert.
We preserved the cherries from the garden.
When preserving food, 'konservieren' (to preserve) is often combined with methods: 'in Essig konservieren' (to preserve in vinegar), 'durch Trocknen konservieren' (to preserve by drying), or 'in Dosen konservieren' (to preserve/can in tins).
Früher haben die Menschen Fleisch durch Pökeln und Räuchern konserviert.
In the past, people preserved meat by curing and smoking it.
In the meaning 'erhalten' (to preserve/maintain), 'konservieren' (to preserve) is often used in scientific, technical, or historical contexts. It describes a professional process to protect something from change.
Die Biologen konservieren die seltenen Pflanzen in einer speziellen Flüssigkeit.
The biologists preserve the rare plants in a special liquid.
to receive / preserve / support
Erhalten is the broader term for preserving or caring for an existing state. Konservieren emphasizes a targeted treatment that protects something from deterioration, destruction, or change. Konservieren is therefore often more appropriate when special protective measures are involved.
Eine Fachkraft soll die alte Holztür mit einer Schutzschicht konservieren.
A specialist is supposed to preserve the old wooden door with a protective coating.
Regelmäßige Pflege soll die alte Holztür erhalten.
Regular maintenance is intended to preserve the old wooden door.
