to nourish
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to nourish
To provide someone or something with food in order to make life and growth possible. Often used in a biological or elevated context.
Die Muttervögel nähren ihre Jungen unermüdlich mit Insekten.
The mother birds tirelessly nourish their young with insects.
The verb 'nähren' (to nourish) is closely related to the noun 'die Nahrung' (food/nourishment). This connection helps you understand the basic meaning of providing what is necessary for life.
Guter Boden nährt die Pflanzen mit wichtigen Mineralien.
Good soil nourishes the plants with important minerals.
'Nähren' (to nourish) is a fairly elevated and formal word. It is often used in biological, literary, or figurative contexts.
Der Fluss nährt das gesamte Ökosystem des Tals.
The river nourishes the entire ecosystem of the valley.
In the figurative meaning, 'nähren' (to nurture) is almost always used with abstract nouns. Typical combinations are 'eine Hoffnung nähren' (to nurture a hope), 'einen Verdacht nähren' (to nurture a suspicion), or 'Zweifel nähren' (to nurture doubts).
Er nährte lange die Hoffnung, seine alte Liebe wiederzusehen.
For a long time, he nurtured the hope of seeing his old love again.
In the meaning 'sich ernähren' (to feed/live on), the verb is always reflexive and used with the preposition 'von' plus the dative: 'sich von etwas nähren' (to feed on something).
Der Kolibri nährt sich vom Nektar der Blüten.
The hummingbird feeds on the nectar of the flowers.
to live
'leben' and 'nähren' can both refer to what a person, animal, or plant exists on. 'von etwas leben' (to live on something) is often used in a general way: it means the basis for one's livelihood or food. 'nähren' is more precise when something provides nourishment or makes growth possible. It often sounds more biological or elevated. 'sich von etwas nähren' (to feed on something) is especially suitable for animals, plants, or a somewhat more formal description. In everyday language, people usually say 'von etwas leben'; 'nähren' sounds more specialized.
Die kleinen Pflanzen nähren sich von Wasser, Licht und guten Nährstoffen im Boden.
The small plants feed on water, light, and good nutrients in the soil.
Viele Studierende leben während des Semesters von wenig Geld.
Many students live on very little money during the semester.