to milk
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to milk
To obtain milk from the udder of an animal, especially a cow, goat, or sheep, by pressing and pulling.
Der Bauer muss jeden Morgen und Abend die Kühe im Stall melken.
The farmer has to milk the cows in the barn every morning and evening.
The meaning of 'melken' (to milk) is usually clear. If it is about animals like cows or goats, the literal meaning is intended. If it is about people, money, or a situation, the figurative, negative meaning is intended.
Auf dem Bauernhof lernen die Kinder, wie man eine Ziege melkt.
On the farm, the children learn how to milk a goat.
In its literal meaning, 'melken' (to milk) is almost always used in connection with milk-producing animals. Typical objects are 'die Kühe' (the cows), 'die Ziegen' (the goats), or 'die Schafe' (the sheep).
Früher wurden die Kühe von Hand gemolken.
In the past, the cows were milked by hand.
The figurative meaning of 'melken' (to milk) is colloquial and has a strongly negative connotation. It expresses that someone is being unfairly exploited.
Die Firma melkt ihre Kunden mit versteckten Gebühren.
The company milks its customers with hidden fees.
In the colloquial meaning of exploiting, the person or thing being exploited is always in the accusative. You 'melkt jemanden' (milk someone) or 'etwas' (something).
Manche Influencer melken ihre Follower für Spenden.
Some influencers milk their followers for donations.
to gut / exclude / rip off
'ausnehmen' and 'melken' can both colloquially mean that someone is financially exploited. 'jemanden ausnehmen' (to rip someone off) sounds more like fraud, unfair prices, or a situation in which a lot of money is taken from a person. 'jemanden melken' (to milk someone) emphasizes more that someone is repeatedly trying to get as much money or benefit as possible out of someone. Learners may confuse the words because both are negative and have to do with money. 'ausnehmen' fits especially when there is a specific unfair loss, while 'melken' fits more with longer-term or repeated exploitation.
Die Firma melkt ihre Kunden mit ständig neuen Gebühren.
The company milks its customers with constant new fees.
Der falsche Handwerker nahm die alte Dame mit einer viel zu hohen Rechnung aus.
The fake handyman ripped off the old lady with a bill that was far too high.