seduction / temptation
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seduction
The process of getting someone to do something immoral, unwise, or sexually intimate, often through charm and persuasion.
Er widerstand der Verführung, das Geheimnis zu verraten.
He resisted the seduction of revealing the secret.
'Die Verführung' (seduction / temptation) is the noun related to the verb 'verführen' (to seduce / to tempt). If you know the meaning of the verb (to persuade or lure someone into something), you can easily derive the meaning of the noun.
Er versucht, sie mit Komplimenten zu verführen.
He tries to seduce her with compliments.
The prefix 'ver-' in 'Verführung' comes from the verb 'verführen' (to seduce / to tempt). It often suggests that someone or something is being 'led' in a wrong or negative direction.
Lass dich nicht von den günstigen Preisen verführen, die Qualität ist schlecht.
Don't let yourself be tempted by the low prices; the quality is poor.
In this meaning, 'Verführung' (seduction) is often combined with the verb 'widerstehen' (to resist). The fixed expression is 'der Verführung widerstehen' (to resist temptation/seduction), and it means that you stay strong and do not give in.
Es ist nicht immer leicht, der Verführung zu widerstehen, mehr Geld auszugeben als man hat.
It is not always easy to resist the temptation to spend more money than you have.
When referring to a temptation, 'Verführung' (temptation) is often used for food or luxury items. Typical combinations are 'eine süße Verführung' (a sweet temptation) for desserts or 'eine kulinarische Verführung' (a culinary temptation) for a special dish.
Der Schokoladenkuchen in der Vitrine ist eine süße Verführung.
The chocolate cake in the display case is a sweet temptation.
appeal / stimulus / irritation
'der Reiz' and 'die Verführung' both have to do with attraction. 'Reiz' is usually neutral or positive: a thing, place, or person seems interesting and attractive. 'Verführung' is stronger. It means that something or someone gets you to do something that is hard to resist. It often also suggests that it might be unwise, forbidden, or morally problematic. The words can be confused when something is very attractive. 'Reiz' describes the appeal itself more, while 'Verführung' describes the strong temptation or the process of moving someone to do something.
Nach der Arbeit war die Schokolade im Schrank eine große Verführung.
After work, the chocolate in the cupboard was a great temptation.
Der Reiz dieser Stadt liegt in den kleinen Straßen und alten Häusern.
The appeal of this city lies in its small streets and old houses.