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verehren
revere
To feel great respect and admiration for a person or an achievement.
example
Sie verehrt die Autorin für ihre klugen und einfühlsamen Romane.
She reveres the author for her intelligent and empathetic novels.
verehren
to revere / worship
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Verehren' (to revere / worship) consists of the inseparable prefix 'ver-' and the verb 'ehren' (to honor). The prefix intensifies the meaning of 'ehren' into deep, intense admiration.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen verehren Sportler für ihre Disziplin und Leistung.
Many people revere athletes for their discipline and performance.
Sentence structure
The verb 'verehren' (to revere / worship) is transitive and always needs a direct object in the accusative. You always revere or worship someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Ich verehre meine Großmutter für ihre Lebensweisheit.
I revere my grandmother for her wisdom about life.
Context clue
The object reveals the meaning: If you revere an artist or scientist, admiration is meant. If you worship a god or a sacred place, religious worship is meant.
EXAMPLE
Er verehrt den Regisseur für seine innovativen Filme.
He reveres the director for his innovative films.
Use with 'für'
If you want to state the reason for the admiration, use the preposition 'für' followed by a noun in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die ganze Welt verehrte ihn für seinen Einsatz für den Frieden.
The whole world revered him for his commitment to peace.
Register note
The romantic meaning of 'verehren' (to adore someone / to idolize someone) is considered elevated and somewhat outdated today. You mainly find it in poems, old films, or when someone wants to speak very poetically.
EXAMPLE
In seinen Briefen schrieb er, dass er sie aus der Ferne verehre.
In his letters, he wrote that he adored her from afar.
Compare with
verehren vs lieben
to love
'lieben' and 'verehren' can both express strong positive feelings for a person. 'lieben' describes deep personal affection, for example in a family or in a romantic relationship. 'verehren', on the other hand, emphasizes admiration and great respect. You often 'verehrt' a famous person, a teacher, an artist, or a special achievement. In elevated language, 'verehren' can also mean romantic admiration, often more from a distance. The words can be confused because both are very positive. 'lieben' is closer and more personal; 'verehren' is more about admiration and distance.
verehren
Viele junge Musiker verehren diese Sängerin wegen ihrer besonderen Stimme.
Many young musicians revere this singer because of her distinctive voice.
lieben
Laura liebt ihre Großmutter und besucht sie jede Woche.
Laura loves her grandmother and visits her every week.
In real life
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