to care / concern / languish
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to take care of
To look after someone or something, feel responsible, and do the necessary things for them or it.
Kannst du dich bitte um die Blumen kümmern, während ich im Urlaub bin?
Can you please take care of the flowers while I'm on vacation?
to concern someone
To worry someone, cause them concern, or be of interest to them. Often used in questions or negative forms.
Was kümmert es dich, was die Nachbarn denken?
What does it concern you what the neighbors think?
to languish
To be in a poor, weak condition; to not grow or thrive well.
Die Pflanze in der dunklen Ecke kümmert nur so vor sich hin.
The plant in the dark corner is just languishing.
The verb 'kümmern' is related to the noun 'der Kummer' (worry, grief). 'Sich um etwas kümmern' (to take care of something) therefore means becoming active so that no trouble or worry arises. The meaning 'kümmerlich wachsen' (to grow poorly) describes a state of distress or weakness.
Aus Kummer über den Verlust aß er tagelang nichts.
Out of grief over the loss, he ate nothing for days.
The grammar reveals the meaning: 'sich kümmern um' is reflexive with a preposition and means 'to take care of'. The structure 'etwas kümmert jemanden' is not reflexive and means 'to worry someone' or 'to concern someone'. If the verb stands alone, it describes poor growth or failure to thrive.
Er kümmert sich um seine kranke Mutter.
He takes care of his sick mother.
In its most common meaning, 'kümmern' is a reflexive verb that always requires the preposition 'um' with the accusative. So you must always say: 'sich um etwas/jemanden kümmern' (to take care of something/someone).
Wer kümmert sich heute um das Abendessen?
Who is taking care of dinner today?
In this meaning, the verb is not reflexive. The person affected by something is in the accusative. This form is used almost exclusively in questions or negative sentences.
Was kümmert es mich, ob er kommt oder nicht?
What does it concern me whether he comes or not?
to interest
In negative statements, interessieren and kümmern can have similar meanings. Something does not interessieren someone if it arouses no curiosity or attention. Something does not kümmern someone if it does not worry them or affect them personally; a lack of desire to learn more is not the deciding factor.
Die neue Regel kümmert Tom nicht, weil sie ihn persönlich nicht betrifft.
The new rule does not concern Tom because it does not affect him personally.
Die neue Regel interessiert Tom nicht, weil er nichts darüber erfahren möchte.
The new rule does not interest Tom because he does not want to learn anything about it.
