to trigger
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to trigger
In the psychological sense, to set off a strong emotional reaction that is often connected to a past trauma or negative experience. The trigger can be a word, an image, a sound, or a situation.
Der Film enthielt Szenen, die ihre alten Ängste getriggert haben.
The film contained scenes that triggered her old fears.
'Triggern' (to trigger) is a loanword from English ('to trigger'). It is conjugated like a regular, weak German verb: er triggert, er triggerte, er hat getriggert.
Diese Bemerkung hat ihn sichtlich getriggert.
That comment visibly triggered him.
The object helps you understand the meaning. If a person is triggered, it refers to a psychological reaction. If a process or system is triggered, it means that something is started technically.
Bestimmte Gerüche können alte Erinnerungen triggern.
Certain smells can trigger old memories.
In the psychological sense, a passive construction with 'sich getriggert fühlen' (to feel triggered) or 'getriggert werden' (to be triggered) is often used to emphasize the subjective experience.
Sie fühlte sich von dem Gesprächsinhalt stark getriggert.
She felt strongly triggered by the content of the conversation.
The colloquial meaning 'provozieren' (to provoke) or 'nerven' (to annoy) is often used ironically or playfully. It does not describe a serious psychological reaction, but rather deliberate teasing.
Er weiß genau, wie er seine Freunde zum Spaß triggern kann.
He knows exactly how to trigger his friends for fun.
to start
'starten' and 'triggern' can both have to do with the beginning of a process. 'starten' means that a process, an activity, or a program begins or is opened. In technology, 'triggern' more often means that a signal or a specific condition sets something off. So the word does not only say that something begins, but also what causes it to be triggered. Learners may confuse the words because both can fit technical processes. For a normal beginning, use 'starten'. When a trigger automatically sets a process in motion, 'triggern' is more precise.
Ein falsches Passwort triggert automatisch eine Warnung im System.
An incorrect password automatically triggers a warning in the system.
Zur Vorbereitung startet das Team am Wochenende das neue System.
In preparation, the team launches the new system over the weekend.