German word

beflügeln

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈflyːgl̩n/

Meaning

  • verbinspire

Example

Die Rede beflügelte das Team vor dem Spiel.

The speech inspired the team before the game.

Illustration for beflügeln (inspire)

More examples

Der Erfolg beflügelte das Start-up.

The success inspired the start-up.

Core concept

A person, team, or project gains wings and moves forward with more courage, energy, or creative force.

Common phrases

  • jemanden beflügeln

    inspire someone

  • die Fantasie beflügeln

    inspire the imagination

Similar words

inspirieren: Inspires fresh thinking and passion for creating or doing something.
motivieren: Encourages action and persistence through clear goals or motivating reasons.
begeistern: Produces powerful excitement and wholehearted enthusiasm.
ermutigen: Strengthens someone's confidence by easing hesitation or concern.

Definition in German

jemanden oder etwas so beeinflussen, dass mehr Mut, Schwung oder Kreativität gezeigt wird

Word origin

Beflügeln combines the prefix be- with German Flügel, meaning wing, and developed from the literal idea of giving something wings to its figurative sense.

Usage tips

  • Beflügeln is transitive and takes an accusative object, as in Die Rede beflügelte das Team and Das Lied beflügelte ihn.

Other meanings

  • encourageverb
  • energizeverb

Opposites

  • entmutigendiscourageverb
  • ernüchterndisillusionverb

Related words

  • Beflügelunginspirationnoun
  • beflügelndinspiringadjective

Word lists with this word