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.
to trigger
In technology or computer science, to start or set off a specific process or event through a signal or condition.
Wenn der Sensor eine Bewegung erfasst, triggert er den Alarm.
When the sensor detects movement, it triggers the alarm.
to trigger
Used colloquially and often ironically to express that someone is deliberately provoking, annoying, or making someone angry.
Er liebt es, seine Schwester mit schlechten Wortwitzen zu triggern.
He loves triggering his sister with bad puns.
'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
For a technical process, both starten and triggern can refer to its beginning. Starten focuses on the process itself, while triggern highlights the signal or condition that causes it to begin. Use starten for the process and triggern for the triggering impulse.
Ein Sensorsignal triggert den Sicherungsprozess jeden Abend automatisch.
A sensor signal triggers the backup process automatically every evening.
Das Programm startet den Sicherungsprozess jeden Abend automatisch.
The program starts the backup process automatically every evening.
