vergrössern
to enlarge
To make something larger in its dimensions, number, or scope.
EXAMPLE
Wir planen, das Haus nächstes Jahr zu vergrössern.
We are planning to enlarge the house next year.
vergrössern
to enlarge
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Meanings
sich vergrössern
to increase
To increase in size, number, or scope; to grow.
EXAMPLE
Die Kluft zwischen Arm und Reich hat sich in den letzten Jahren vergrössert.
The gap between rich and poor has increased in recent years.
vergrössern
to enlarge
In photography, to produce an enlarged print from a smaller negative or a digital image file.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir dieses Foto auf das Format 20x30 cm vergrössern?
Can you enlarge this photo for me to the format 20 x 30 cm?
Usage tips
Verb structure
This verb is derived from the adjective 'groß' (big). The prefix 'ver-' expresses a change here. 'Vergrößern' (to enlarge) therefore literally means to make something 'big' or to cause it to become bigger.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie die Schrift auf dem Bildschirm bitte etwas vergrößern?
Could you please enlarge the text on the screen a little?
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'ver-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er vergrößert seine Fotosammlung ständig.
He is constantly enlarging his photo collection.
Transitive vs. reflexive
The verb can be used transitively with an accusative object when someone or something makes a thing larger. It is used reflexively ('sich vergrößern' — to increase/grow) when something becomes larger by itself.
EXAMPLE
Wir vergrößern unser Wohnzimmer.
We are enlarging our living room.
Regional spelling
The spelling 'vergrössern' with 'ss' is common in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In Germany and Austria, the official spelling is 'vergrößern' with 'ß'. Pronunciation and meaning are identical.
EXAMPLE
In der Schweiz würde man schreiben: Die Gemeinde will die Schule vergrössern.
In Switzerland, one would write: The municipality wants to enlarge the school.
Typical collocations
Besides concrete things, 'vergrößern' (to enlarge/increase) is also often used with abstract nouns. Common combinations are 'den Wortschatz vergrößern' (to expand one's vocabulary), 'den Einfluss vergrößern' (to increase one's influence), or 'das Wissen vergrößern' (to increase one's knowledge).
EXAMPLE
Durch Reisen kann man seinen Horizont vergrößern.
Through travel, you can broaden your horizons.
Context: photography
When the verb is used together with words like 'Foto' (photo), 'Bild' (picture/image), 'Abzug' (print), or a format such as 'A4', it refers to the technical meaning of enlarging an image.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe ein altes Schwarz-Weiß-Foto von meinen Großeltern vergrößern lassen.
I had an old black-and-white photo of my grandparents enlarged.
Compare with
vergrössern vs erhöhen
to increase
Erhöhen and vergrössern can both refer to an increase. Erhöhen is more idiomatically used with a number or value, while vergrössern makes the relevant group or scope larger. Use erhöhen for the number itself and vergrössern for what gains more members or space.
vergrössern
Wir wollen die Gruppe der Teilnehmer auf fünfzig Personen vergrössern.
We want to enlarge the group of participants to fifty people.
erhöhen
Wir wollen die Zahl der Teilnehmer auf fünfzig erhöhen.
We want to increase the number of participants to fifty.
In real life
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