to stoke
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to stoke
To deliberately intensify or provoke negative feelings such as hatred, fear, envy, or conflicts.
Mit seinen Reden versuchte der Politiker, Ängste in der Bevölkerung zu schüren.
With his speeches, the politician tried to stoke fears among the population.
The meaning 'Gefühle verstärken' (to intensify feelings) is a metaphor. Just as you fan or stoke a fire (meaning 2) so that it grows, you can also 'anfachen' (fan/stoke) negative feelings such as fear or hatred so that they become stronger.
Die Gerüchte schürten die Panik in der kleinen Stadt.
The rumors stoked panic in the small town.
The object of the verb makes the meaning clear. If it is an abstract, negative noun such as 'Angst' (fear), 'Hass' (hatred), or 'Konflikte' (conflicts), the metaphorical meaning is intended. With concrete nouns such as 'Feuer' (fire) or 'Glut' (embers), it is about the literal meaning.
Er schürte den Hass gegen die Minderheit. (Gefühle)
He stoked hatred against the minority. (feelings)
In the figurative meaning, 'schüren' (to stoke) is almost always used with negative emotions or situations. Typical combinations are 'Ängste schüren' (to stoke fears), 'Hass schüren' (to stoke hatred), 'Konflikte schüren' (to fuel conflicts), or 'Misstrauen schüren' (to sow/stoke mistrust).
Die falsche Nachricht hat das Misstrauen in der Bevölkerung geschürt.
The false report stoked mistrust among the population.
In its literal meaning, 'schüren' (to stoke) is used for open fires such as a fireplace, a campfire, or an old stove. A tool, the 'Schürhaken' (poker), is often used for this.
Jeden Abend schürte der Großvater das Feuer im Kamin.
Every evening, the grandfather stoked the fire in the fireplace.
to strengthen / reinforce / amplify
'verstärken' and 'schüren' can both mean that something becomes stronger or is made stronger. 'verstärken' is neutral and very general: you can strengthen or amplify feelings, noise, an effect, or a signal. 'schüren' is more specific. It often fits with negative feelings or conflicts, for example fear, hatred, or arguments, and then sounds deliberate and problematic. You can also 'ein Feuer schüren' (stoke a fire) so that it burns more strongly. When the neutral idea is simply more strength, 'verstärken' is more natural; when someone is inflaming negative feelings or conflicts, 'schüren' is more precise.
Falsche Nachrichten schüren Angst in der Bevölkerung.
False reports stoke fear among the population.
Das Mikrofon verstärkt die Stimme des Lehrers im großen Raum.
The microphone amplifies the teacher's voice in the large room.