to revive / resuscitate
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to resuscitate
To bring back to life a person who is unconscious, no longer breathing, or has had a cardiac arrest through medical measures.
Die Rettungssanitäter konnten den Mann nach dem Unfall erfolgreich wiederbeleben.
The paramedics were able to successfully resuscitate the man after the accident.
to revive
To renew something that had been forgotten or was no longer active and make it popular or commonly used again.
Der Verein versucht, das alte Stadtfest wiederzubeleben.
The association is trying to revive the old town festival.
Although it begins with 'wieder-' (again), 'wiederbeleben' (to revive/resuscitate) is an inseparable verb. The stress is on '-leben', and the prefix is never separated from the verb in a sentence.
Er hat die alte Diskussion wiederbelebt.
He revived the old discussion.
The word consists of 'wieder' (again) and 'beleben' (to bring to life / to enliven). The literal meaning is therefore 'to make alive again', which applies to both main meanings.
Ein alter Brauch wurde für das Festival wiederbelebt.
An old custom was revived for the festival.
The context makes the meaning clear. If people, patients, or animals are being discussed, the medical meaning is intended. With abstract things like traditions, the economy, or a discussion, it refers to the figurative meaning.
Die Ärzte versuchten, den Patienten wiederzubeleben.
The doctors tried to resuscitate the patient.
In the figurative meaning, the verb is often used with abstract nouns, for example: 'eine Tradition wiederbeleben' (to revive a tradition), 'die Wirtschaft wiederbeleben' (to revive the economy), 'eine Freundschaft wiederbeleben' (to revive a friendship), or 'einen alten Plan wiederbeleben' (to revive an old plan).
Nach dem Streit versuchten sie, ihre Freundschaft wiederzubeleben.
After the argument, they tried to revive their friendship.
to save / rescue
After a cardiac arrest, both verbs can describe the success of the assistance. „Wiederbeleben“ specifically refers to the medical measures that restore vital functions, while „retten“ expresses the broader success of saving someone from death. „Wiederbeleben“ fits the action, while „retten“ fits the result.
Die Sanitäter konnten den bewusstlosen Mann nach dem Herzstillstand wiederbeleben.
The paramedics were able to resuscitate the unconscious man after the cardiac arrest.
Die Sanitäter konnten den bewusstlosen Mann noch retten.
The paramedics were still able to save the unconscious man.
