to pamper / spoil
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to pamper
To consciously give someone or yourself something especially good and pleasant in order to bring joy or help them relax.
Im Wellness-Hotel kann man sich mit Massagen und gutem Essen richtig verwöhnen lassen.
At the wellness hotel, you can really let yourself be pampered with massages and good food.
'Verwöhnen' (to pamper/spoil) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
Sie verwöhnt ihre Katze mit dem besten Futter.
She spoils her cat with the best food.
The verb is very often used reflexively as 'sich verwöhnen' (to pamper oneself) or in the construction 'sich verwöhnen lassen' (to let oneself be pampered). It then means doing something good for yourself or enjoying being taken care of by others.
Heute Abend koche ich nicht, ich lasse mich mal verwöhnen.
I'm not cooking tonight; for once, I'm going to let myself be pampered.
Whether 'verwöhnen' (to pamper/spoil) is meant positively (to take care of) or negatively (to spoil) depends on the context. Excessive, long-term indulgence, especially with children, is often understood negatively.
Er ist ein Einzelkind und wurde von seinen Eltern ziemlich verwöhnt.
He is an only child and was pretty spoiled by his parents.
In the figurative meaning, the construction 'von etwas verwöhnt sein' (to be spoiled by something) is often used. This expresses that someone is used to a high standard because of constant success or luxury.
Die Fans waren von den vielen Siegen der letzten Jahre verwöhnt.
The fans had been spoiled by the many victories of recent years.
to get used to
'gewöhnen' and 'verwöhnen' sound very similar, but they mean different things. 'gewöhnen' means that someone adapts to a situation, person, or thing. Over time, something becomes normal. 'verwöhnen' means giving someone something especially pleasant, for example good food, rest, or lots of attention. It can be meant positively, but also negatively if someone becomes too demanding because of it. There is a risk of confusion especially because of the similar form. Remember: 'sich an etwas gewöhnen' (to get used to something) has to do with adaptation, while 'jemanden verwöhnen' (to pamper/spoil someone) has to do with special care or enjoyment.
Im Restaurant verwöhne ich meine Familie heute mit einem guten Essen.
At the restaurant, I am treating my family to a good meal today.
Der Mitarbeiter gewöhnt sich langsam an die neue Arbeitszeit.
The employee is slowly getting used to the new working hours.