01
schützen vor
to protect from
To keep someone or something safe from danger, harm, or negative influences.
example
Diese Creme soll die Haut vor der Sonne schützen.
This cream is supposed to protect the skin from the sun.
schützen
to protect
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure with preposition
The verb 'schützen' (to protect) has a fixed structure: you protect someone or something (accusative) from a danger (dative). The preposition 'vor' always introduces the threat.
EXAMPLE
Ein warmer Schal schützt den Hals vor der Kälte.
A warm scarf protects the neck from the cold.
Word family
'Schützen' (to protect) belongs to a word family related to safety. The corresponding noun is 'der Schutz' (protection), and a person who protects is 'der Beschützer' (male protector) or 'die Beschützerin' (female protector).
EXAMPLE
Guter Sonnenschutz ist im Sommer sehr wichtig.
Good sun protection is very important in summer.
Reflexive use
When a person takes measures for their own safety, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich schützen' (to protect oneself). The reflexive pronoun is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Du solltest dich mit Sonnencreme vor einem Sonnenbrand schützen.
You should protect yourself from sunburn with sunscreen.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'preserve', 'schützen' (to protect) is often used without the preposition 'vor'. Typical objects are things that should be preserved, such as 'die Umwelt' (the environment), 'die Natur' (nature), 'Tiere' (animals), or 'Denkmäler' (monuments).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen unsere Umwelt für zukünftige Generationen schützen.
We must protect our environment for future generations.
Compare with
schützen vs erhalten
to receive / preserve / support
'erhalten' and 'schützen' can both mean that something does not get damaged or lost. 'erhalten' puts more emphasis on the condition: something should stay as it is, for example an old building or a tradition. 'schützen' puts more emphasis on an external danger: something is protected from destruction, damage, or decay. Learners can confuse the words because the two ideas often go together. In practical terms: you protect something from a danger so that you can preserve it.
schützen
Ein neues Dach schützt das Gebäude vor Regen und Schnee.
A new roof protects the building from rain and snow.
erhalten
Die Stadt erhält das alte Theater, weil es vielen Menschen wichtig ist.
The city is preserving the old theater because it is important to many people.
In real life
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