to spare
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to spare
To treat something or someone carefully so as not to strain or damage it. This often refers to body parts, health, or also materials.
Nach der Knieoperation muss er sein Bein sechs Wochen lang schonen.
After the knee operation, he has to spare his leg for six weeks.
to take it easy
To rest and avoid exertion, usually for health reasons on a doctor's advice.
Der Arzt hat gesagt, ich soll mich nach der Grippe noch ein paar Tage schonen.
The doctor said I should take it easy for a few more days after the flu.
to spare
To protect someone from an unpleasant piece of information, task, or experience.
Die Eltern haben die Kinder mit der traurigen Nachricht zunächst geschont.
At first, the parents spared the children the sad news.
The verb 'schonen' (to spare) is always used with an accusative object. You ask: Wen oder was soll ich schonen? (Whom or what should I spare?)
Du solltest nach der Erkältung deine Stimme schonen.
You should rest your voice after the cold.
'Schonen' (to spare) is often used in relation to the body or health. Typical combinations are 'den Rücken schonen' (to spare one's back), 'die Augen schonen' (to rest one's eyes), or 'die Nerven schonen' (to spare one's nerves).
Wenn du viel am Computer arbeitest, solltest du regelmäßig deine Augen schonen.
If you work a lot on the computer, you should rest your eyes regularly.
The reflexive form 'sich schonen' (to take it easy) means that you rest and avoid exertion. The reflexive pronoun is in the accusative.
Ich fühle mich nicht gut, ich muss mich heute etwas schonen.
I don't feel well; I need to take it a little easy today.
When you want to protect someone from something unpleasant, you use the structure 'jemanden (Akkusativ) vor etwas (Dativ) schonen' (to spare someone from something).
Er wollte seine Familie vor den schlechten Nachrichten schonen.
He wanted to spare his family the bad news.
to protect
Schützen and schonen can both be used with an injured body part, but they emphasize different things. Schützen means warding off a specific danger or further damage, while schonen mainly means avoiding additional strain. Schützen fits when an impact is imminent; schonen fits when rest and reduced use are needed.
Nach der Verletzung schont sie ihr Knie und geht heute nicht joggen.
After the injury, she spares her knee and isn't going jogging today.
Die Bandage schützt das verletzte Knie vor weiteren Stößen.
The brace protects the injured knee from further impacts.
