to lure / to curl
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to lure
To make a person or animal come to a certain place or do a certain thing by means of a tempting offer.
Die Werbung soll neue Kunden in das Geschäft locken.
The advertisement is meant to lure new customers into the store.
The meaning of 'locken' (to lure / to curl) depends on the object. If the object is 'Haare' (hair), it means 'in Locken legen' (to curl). If the object is a person or an animal, it means 'anlocken' (to attract/lure) or 'ködern' (to bait).
Sie lockt sich jeden Morgen die Haare.
She curls her hair every morning.
In the meaning of 'anlocken' (to lure/attract), it is often followed by a preposition indicating direction. The pattern is: jemanden (accusative) + where to + locken. Typical prepositions are 'in' (into), 'auf' (onto/to), or 'nach' (to).
Das Festival lockt jedes Jahr Tausende Besucher in die Stadt.
Every year, the festival lures thousands of visitors into the city.
When it is about curling hair, a reflexive construction with the dative is often used: 'sich die Haare locken' (to have one's hair curled / to curl one's hair). The person whose hair is being curled is in the dative.
Ich lasse mir vom Friseur die Haare locken.
I'm having the hairdresser curl my hair.
The verb 'locken' (to curl) in this meaning is directly related to the noun 'die Locke' (a single curl) and the adjective 'lockig' (curly, with lots of curls).
Sie hat von Natur aus wunderschöne Locken.
She has naturally beautiful curls.
to try / taste
'versuchen' and 'locken' can both express that someone is meant to be brought to do something. In this meaning, however, 'versuchen' is elevated and means more like tempting someone, often into something ill-considered or wrong. 'locken' is more everyday and concrete: an offer, a smell, or a reward makes something attractive, so that a person or animal wants to come or do something. 'locken' does not have to be morally bad. 'versuchen' in this sense sounds rare today and rather literary or religious. In everyday language, 'locken' is usually more natural for such situations.
Der Geruch von frischem Brot lockte viele Kunden in die Bäckerei.
The smell of fresh bread lured many customers into the bakery.
Das schnelle Geld versuchte ihn, obwohl er wusste, dass der Plan riskant war.
The quick money tempted him, even though he knew the plan was risky.