refreshment / strengthening
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refreshment
A meal or drink that you consume in order to regain your strength, especially after exertion.
Nach der langen Wanderung kehrten wir im Gasthaus für eine kleine Stärkung ein.
After the long hike, we stopped at the inn for a small refreshment.
strengthening
The process of making something, such as an institution, position, or economy, stronger, more influential, or more resilient.
Die neuen Gesetze dienen der Stärkung der Verbraucherrechte.
The new laws serve to strengthen consumer rights.
The word 'Stärkung' (refreshment/strengthening) belongs to a word family based on the adjective 'stark' (strong). From 'stark' comes the verb 'stärken' (to strengthen / to make something strong). The ending '-ung' turns the action back into a noun: die Stärkung.
Eine gute Suppe stärkt den Körper.
A good soup strengthens the body.
You can recognize the meaning from context. If it is about a person eating or drinking, it refers to a meal or refreshment. If it is about abstract things like the economy, rights, or the immune system, it refers to the process of making something stronger.
Vor dem Wettkampf braucht der Athlet eine kleine Stärkung.
Before the competition, the athlete needs a small refreshment.
When a meal is meant, 'Stärkung' (refreshment) is often combined with 'klein' (small). Typical verbs are 'eine Stärkung brauchen' (to need a refreshment), 'eine Stärkung zu sich nehmen' (to have/take a refreshment), or 'für eine Stärkung einkehren' (to stop somewhere for a refreshment).
Nach dem Spaziergang brauchten wir dringend eine Stärkung.
After the walk, we urgently needed a refreshment.
In this meaning, 'Stärkung' (strengthening) is very often used with a genitive object or the preposition 'von' to say what is being strengthened. Abstract concepts are typical.
Das Projekt dient der Stärkung der internationalen Zusammenarbeit.
The project serves to strengthen international cooperation.
support
Unterstützung and Stärkung can both refer to help for an institution or its work. Unterstützung focuses on the help provided, whereas Stärkung focuses on the greater strength or resilience made possible by that help. Use Unterstützung for the measure itself and Stärkung when the stronger result is the main focus.
Die neuen Mitglieder waren eine wichtige Stärkung für die Organisation.
The new members were an important source of strength for the organization.
Die Organisation erhielt Unterstützung, damit sie ihre Arbeit fortsetzen konnte.
The organization received support so that it could continue its work.
