to increase
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to increase
To raise or enlarge something in amount, value, degree, or intensity.
Das Unternehmen konnte seinen Umsatz im letzten Quartal deutlich steigern.
The company was able to significantly increase its revenue in the last quarter.
'Steigern' (to increase) is related to 'steigen' (to rise, climb). While 'steigen' often describes a movement that happens by itself, 'steigern' usually means to actively increase something.
Die Preise steigen. Die Firma steigert die Preise.
The prices are rising. The company is increasing the prices.
You have to distinguish between the reflexive and the transitive use. 'Etwas steigern' (to increase something, with an accusative object) means that you actively increase something. 'Sich steigern' means that something becomes more intense by itself or that a person improves their performance.
Wir müssen unser Tempo steigern.
We have to increase our pace.
In business, 'steigern' (to increase) is often combined with words such as 'Umsatz' (revenue), 'Gewinn' (profit), 'Produktion' (production), or 'Effizienz' (efficiency).
Das Ziel ist, die Produktion um zehn Prozent zu steigern.
The goal is to increase production by ten percent.
In the context of language and grammar, 'steigern' has a very specific meaning: to form the degrees of comparison of an adjective or adverb.
Kannst du bitte das Adjektiv „gut“ für mich steigern?
Can you please compare the adjective 'gut' for me?
When an auction or sale by auction is being discussed, 'steigern' means that you place a bid on an object. The preposition 'auf' (+ accusative) is often used.
Viele Leute steigerten auf das berühmte Gemälde.
Many people bid on the famous painting.
to increase
'erhöhen' and 'steigern' can both mean that something becomes more, stronger, or larger. 'erhöhen' is used especially with measurable things such as prices, wages, temperatures, or numbers. 'steigern' often fits when the topic is performance, effect, speed, or intensity. It sounds a bit more dynamic: something does not just become higher, but stronger or better. The words can be confused because, for example, you can both increase costs ('Kosten erhöhen') and increase revenue ('den Umsatz steigern'). With fixed numbers, 'erhöhen' is often more natural; with performance and improvement, 'steigern' often is.
Durch regelmäßiges Training konnte Sofia ihre Ausdauer deutlich steigern.
Through regular training, Sofia was able to significantly improve her endurance.
Der Vermieter will die Miete ab Juli erhöhen.
The landlord wants to raise the rent starting in July.