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.
temptation
Something that has a very strong appeal and is hard to resist; a temptation.
Die Auslage des Schokoladengeschäfts war eine reine Verführung.
The display in the chocolate shop was pure temptation.
'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.
temptation
A Versuchung can simply be a strongly appealing person or thing, or an inner desire. Verführung refers more to the process of deliberately influencing someone through charm or persuasion. Use Versuchung for the appeal itself and Verführung for active influence by a person or an offer.
Die Verführung durch den Verkäufer brachte ihn zum Kauf des teuren Geräts.
The salesman's seduction led him to buy the expensive device.
Die Torte im Schaufenster war für ihn eine große Versuchung.
The cake in the shop window was a great temptation for him.
