to seduce / tempt
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to seduce
To get someone, through persuasion or temptation, to do something that is considered unwise, immoral, or wrong. The action can also involve sexual intent.
Er ließ sich von seinen Freunden dazu verführen, die Schule zu schwänzen.
He let himself be seduced by his friends into skipping school.
to tempt
To tempt someone with something pleasant, attractive, or enjoyable, often in connection with food or consumption.
Der Duft von frisch gebackenem Kuchen verführte sie, ihre Diät zu brechen.
The smell of freshly baked cake tempted her to break her diet.
The verb is made up of 'ver-' and 'führen' (to lead). 'Führen' means 'to guide' or 'to lead'. The prefix 'ver-' has a negative meaning here and suggests that someone is being led in the wrong or a bad direction.
Lass dich nicht von falschen Versprechungen verführen.
Don't let yourself be seduced by false promises.
'Verführen' (to seduce/tempt) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
Er hat seine Freunde zum Schwänzen verführt.
He seduced his friends into skipping school.
The action or thing that someone is seduced or tempted into is connected with the preposition 'zu' + dative. The person being seduced or tempted is in the accusative.
Die Werbung verführt die Menschen oft zum Kauf unnötiger Dinge.
Advertising often tempts people into buying unnecessary things.
In this meaning, the 'Verführer' (tempter) is often not a person, but something attractive such as a smell, a sight, or an offer. The action is usually not a morally bad act, but a small weakness.
Das Schaufenster verführte sie dazu, den Laden zu betreten.
The shop window tempted her to enter the store.
to try / taste
Both words can express causing another person to do something wrong or unwise. Versuchen is more elevated and general in this meaning, while verführen places greater emphasis on enticing or persuading someone. In ordinary everyday situations, verführen is usually the more suitable choice.
Der Betrüger verführte den alten Mann zu einer falschen Unterschrift.
The con artist tempted the old man into signing a false document.
Der Betrüger versuchte den alten Mann zu einer falschen Unterschrift zu verleiten.
The con artist tried to tempt the old man into signing a false document.
