German word

animieren

Pronunciation

IPA/aniˈmiːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbencourage

Example

Sie animiert die Kinder zum Mitmachen.

She encourages the children to join in.

Illustration for animieren (encourage)

More examples

Der Redner animiert das Publikum zur Teilnahme.

The speaker encourages the audience to participate.

Core concept

A spark of energy that gets a person moving and draws them into an activity.

Common phrases

  • das Publikum animieren

    encourage the audience

  • zur Teilnahme animieren

    encourage participation

Similar words

motivieren: To strengthen the desire to act by giving clear goals or reasons.
ermutigen: To ease fear or hesitation and build confidence to act.
anregen: To spark curiosity or ideas that lead someone to begin.
begeistern: To create intense enthusiasm and make someone deeply absorbed.

Definition in German

jemanden durch Worte, Beispiele oder Angebote so beeinflussen, dass er aktiv wird oder an etwas teilnimmt.

Word origin

German animieren ultimately comes from Latin animare, formed from anima meaning breath, soul, or life, and entered German through French animer.

Usage tips

  • The usual pattern is animieren plus an accusative person and zu plus an activity, as in jemanden zum Mitmachen animieren.

Other meanings

  • motivateverb
  • energizeverb

Opposites

  • demotivierendemotivateverb

Related words

  • Animatorinanimatornoun
  • animierendencouragingadjective

Word lists with this word