to donate
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to donate
To give money, clothing, or other things voluntarily and without receiving anything in return, for a good cause or for people in need.
Sie spendet jeden Monat einen kleinen Betrag an eine Tierschutzorganisation.
She donates a small amount to an animal welfare organization every month.
to donate
To make parts of one's own body, such as blood or organs, available for medical purposes.
Gesunde Menschen sollten regelmäßig Blut spenden gehen.
Healthy people should go donate blood regularly.
to provide
In elevated or poetic language, used for giving or bestowing something abstract or immaterial.
Die alte Linde spendet an heißen Tagen angenehmen Schatten.
On hot days, the old linden tree provides pleasant shade.
The verb 'spenden' (to donate) belongs to a word family. 'Die Spende' (donation) is what you give, e.g. a monetary donation, and 'der Spender' or 'die Spenderin' (donor) is the person who gives something.
Jede kleine Spende hilft dem Projekt.
Every small donation helps the project.
Two prepositions are often used with 'spenden' (to donate): 'für' (for) describes the purpose or goal of the donation, while 'an' (to) names the direct recipient, a person or organization.
Wir spenden für den Bau einer neuen Schule.
We are donating for the construction of a new school.
In a medical context, 'spenden' (to donate) is almost always combined with body parts or bodily substances. The most common and important combinations are 'Blut spenden' (to donate blood), 'Organe spenden' (to donate organs), and 'Knochenmark spenden' (to donate bone marrow).
Er geht alle drei Monate Blut spenden.
He goes to donate blood every three months.
This meaning is typical of poetic or elevated language. It is used for immaterial things that give something positive. Common examples are 'Schatten spenden' (to provide shade), 'Trost spenden' (to give comfort), or 'Wärme spenden' (to provide warmth).
Der große Baum im Garten spendet im Sommer angenehmen Schatten.
The large tree in the garden provides pleasant shade in summer.
to give
Geben can generally mean that someone voluntarily passes on money or things. Spenden additionally makes clear that the donation is intended for a good cause or for people in need, without anything being given in return. When this purpose is important, spenden is more precise.
Ich spende dem Verein 50 Euro für sein Hilfsprojekt.
I donate 50 euros to the organization for its aid project.
Ich gebe dem Verein 50 Euro für seine Arbeit.
I give the organization 50 euros for its work.
