to breed / cultivate
Loading your saved state.
to breed
To deliberately reproduce animals or plants in order to obtain or improve certain traits.
Der Landwirt züchtet eine spezielle Rinderrasse, die besonders robust ist.
The farmer breeds a special breed of cattle that is particularly robust.
The verb 'züchten' (to breed/cultivate) is the basis for other words. 'Die Zucht' refers to the process itself, and 'der Züchter' or 'die Züchterin' is the person who breeds animals or plants.
Der Züchter ist für seine preisgekrönten Hunde bekannt.
The breeder is known for his award-winning dogs.
The object of the verb reveals the meaning. If it refers to animals or plants, reproduction is meant. With microorganisms, it is about cultivation in the laboratory. With abstract nouns like 'Hass' (hate) or 'Neid' (envy), the figurative, negative meaning is intended.
Er züchtet seltene Orchideen in seinem Gewächshaus.
He breeds rare orchids in his greenhouse.
'Züchten' (to breed) means more than just 'vermehren' (to reproduce). It always implies deliberate selection and control in order to promote or improve certain traits, such as appearance, yield, or robustness.
Diese Tomatensorte wurde speziell für den Anbau auf Balkonen gezüchtet.
This tomato variety was bred especially for growing on balconies.
In its figurative meaning, 'züchten' (to breed) is always used with negative, abstract concepts. Common combinations are 'Misstrauen züchten' (to breed mistrust), 'Neid züchten' (to breed envy), or 'Langeweile züchten' (to breed boredom).
Geheimnisse können in einer Beziehung schnell Misstrauen züchten.
Secrets can quickly breed mistrust in a relationship.
to hold
'halten' and 'züchten' can both be used with animals, but they do not mean the same thing. 'Tiere halten' means that you own animals, care for them, and look after them. 'Tiere züchten' means that you deliberately breed them, often with a specific goal, for example because of certain traits. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases people work with animals. But someone who has a dog at home keeps a dog. Someone who deliberately pairs many dogs and plans offspring breeds dogs.
Auf dem Hof züchtet die Familie seit Jahren Pferde.
The family has been breeding horses on the farm for years.
Meine Nachbarin hält zwei Katzen in ihrer Wohnung.
My neighbor keeps two cats in her apartment.