verstärken
to strengthen
To make something stronger, more intense, or more effective.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei wird ihre Präsenz in der Innenstadt verstärken.
The police will strengthen their presence in the city center.
verstärken
to strengthen / reinforce / amplify
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Meanings
verstärken
to reinforce
To make something more stable or resistant through structural measures; to reinforce.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Brücke muss mit Stahlträgern verstärkt werden.
The old bridge has to be reinforced with steel beams.
verstärken
to amplify
To make an acoustic or electrical signal louder or stronger; to amplify.
EXAMPLE
Das Mikrofon verstärkt die Stimme des Redners, damit ihn alle hören können.
The microphone amplifies the speaker's voice so that everyone can hear him.
sich verstärken
to intensify
To increase in strength, intensity, or extent.
EXAMPLE
Der Regen hat sich im Laufe des Vormittags deutlich verstärkt.
The rain intensified noticeably over the course of the morning.
verstärken
to strengthen
To add additional people to a group or team and make it more effective.
EXAMPLE
Der Fußballverein hat sich im Winter mit zwei neuen Spielern verstärkt.
The football club strengthened its squad in the winter with two new players.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is made up of the prefix 'ver-' and the adjective 'stark' (strong). It literally means 'to make strong'. As a verb with the prefix 'ver-', it is inseparable.
EXAMPLE
Durch das Training verstärkte sie ihre Muskulatur.
Through training, she strengthened her muscles.
Context clue
The object of the sentence reveals the exact meaning. If it is something abstract (a feeling, pressure), 'to intensify' is meant. With structures (wall, ceiling), it is about stability; with technology (signal, sound), it is about volume or strength; and with groups (team), it is about adding personnel.
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung verstärkt den Druck auf die Opposition.
The government is increasing pressure on the opposition.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich verstärken' means that something becomes stronger by itself. The subject of the sentence is the thing whose intensity increases. This is often used for weather phenomena, feelings, or trends.
EXAMPLE
Der Wind hat sich in der Nacht deutlich verstärkt.
The wind intensified noticeably during the night.
Typical collocations
In the general meaning of 'to intensify', 'verstärken' is often combined with abstract nouns. Typical phrases are: 'die Bemühungen verstärken' (to intensify one's efforts), 'die Kontrollen verstärken' (to increase checks), or 'einen Eindruck verstärken' (to reinforce an impression).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen unsere Bemühungen verstärken, um das Projekt rechtzeitig abzuschließen.
We need to intensify our efforts in order to complete the project on time.
Use in sports
In a sports context, 'verstärken' means to make a team better by adding new players. You can say 'der Verein verstärkt die Mannschaft' (the club strengthens the team) transitively, or 'der Verein verstärkt sich mit einem Spieler' (the club strengthens itself with a player) reflexively.
EXAMPLE
Der Club will sich im Winter mit einem neuen Stürmer verstärken.
The club wants to strengthen its squad in the winter with a new striker.
Compare with
erhöhenstärkensteigernbefestigenverschärfenbestärkenintensivierenaufstockenverschlimmernerstarkenverfestigen
verstärken vs erhöhen
to increase
Erhöhen and verstärken can both express making an effect stronger, but they combine differently with a signal. You typically erhöhen the volume or level, while you verstärken an acoustic or electrical signal. The choice therefore depends on whether the value or the signal itself is the focus.
verstärken
Der Verstärker kann das schwache Signal für die Lautsprecher verstärken.
The amplifier can amplify the weak signal for the speakers.
erhöhen
Mit dem Regler kann ich die Lautstärke des Signals erhöhen.
I can increase the signal's volume with the control.
In real life
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