schöpfen
to scoop
To take a liquid or a mushy mass out of a larger amount with a vessel (e.g., ladle, cup) or with the hands.
EXAMPLE
Sie schöpfte eine Kelle Suppe aus dem großen Topf.
She scooped a ladleful of soup out of the large pot.
schöpfen
to scoop / draw
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Meanings
schöpfen
to draw
To gain or obtain something immaterial such as strength, hope, courage, or ideas from a source.
EXAMPLE
Aus diesem Gespräch konnte ich wieder neuen Mut schöpfen.
From this conversation, I was able to draw new courage again.
Verdacht schöpfen
to become suspicious
To begin to become suspicious or to have a suspicion that something is not right.
EXAMPLE
Als er die widersprüchlichen Aussagen hörte, begann der Kommissar Verdacht zu schöpfen.
When he heard the contradictory statements, the inspector began to become suspicious.
schöpfen
to create
To bring forth something new and original through creative or intellectual achievement; to create.
EXAMPLE
Der Künstler schöpft seine Werke aus den Eindrücken seiner Reisen.
The artist creates his works from the impressions of his travels.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'schöpfen' (to scoop/draw/create) is the root for the words 'der Schöpfer' (creator) and 'die Schöpfung' (creation). This especially emphasizes the meaning of creative creation.
EXAMPLE
Viele Religionen haben eine Geschichte über die Schöpfung der Welt.
Many religions have a story about the creation of the world.
Sentence structure and use
In its literal meaning, 'schöpfen' (to scoop) is often used with the preposition 'aus' (from/out of) to name the source. The pattern is: etwas aus etwas schöpfen (to scoop something out of something).
EXAMPLE
Er schöpfte mit den Händen Wasser aus dem Bach.
He scooped water out of the stream with his hands.
Typical collocations
The figurative meaning is almost always used in fixed combinations. The most common are: Mut schöpfen (to draw courage), Hoffnung schöpfen (to draw hope), Kraft schöpfen (to draw strength), and Inspiration schöpfen (to draw inspiration).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Winter schöpfen die Menschen im Frühling neue Kraft.
After the long winter, people draw new strength in spring.
Fixed expression
The combination 'Verdacht schöpfen' (to become suspicious) is a fixed idiom. It means that you begin to become suspicious. 'Schöpfen' is not combined with other nouns in this sense.
EXAMPLE
Als niemand zu Hause war, obwohl Licht brannte, schöpfte die Nachbarin Verdacht.
When no one was home even though the lights were on, the neighbor became suspicious.
Register and style
In the meaning 'erschaffen' (to create), 'schöpfen' belongs to an elevated, often literary or philosophical style of language. It is used for artistic or intellectual achievements.
EXAMPLE
Der Komponist schöpft seine Ideen aus der Stille der Natur.
The composer creates his ideas from the silence of nature.
Compare with
schöpfen vs schaffen
to manage / create
Schaffen and schöpfen can both mean bringing something new into being through creative work. Schöpfen places more emphasis on the creative origin and imaginative aspect, while schaffen refers more generally to making or creating something. Schöpfen is suitable when the creation is strongly intellectual and creative; otherwise, schaffen is usually the broader choice.
schöpfen
Die Künstlerin schöpfte eine neue Bildidee aus ihrer Fantasie.
The artist came up with a new idea for a picture from her imagination.
schaffen
Die Künstlerin schuf ein neues Bild für die Ausstellung.
The artist created a new picture for the exhibition.
In real life
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