German word

bewahren

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈvaːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbprotect

Example

Die Impfung bewahrt die Kinder vor Krankheiten.

The vaccination protects children from diseases.

Illustration for bewahren (protect)

More examples

Trotz der Kritik konnte er das Vertrauen bewahren.

Despite the criticism, he was able to preserve trust.

Core concept

A valued thing remains intact because it is kept safe from harm or loss.

Common phrases

  • Geheimnis bewahren

    keep a secret

  • Vertrauen bewahren

    preserve trust

  • für sich bewahren

    keep to oneself

Similar words

aufbewahren: Store an item or document in a suitable place for later use.
behalten: Keep something in one's possession instead of giving it away.
schützen: Keep someone or something safe from danger or harm.
erhalten: Maintain a condition or function over time.

Definition in German

Etwas erhalten, damit es nicht verloren geht, beschädigt wird oder sich verschlechtert

Word origin

Bewahren combines be- with the inherited Germanic verb wahren, which means to guard or keep safe.

Usage tips

  • For protection from a danger, bewahren commonly takes vor with the dative, as in jemanden vor Krankheiten bewahren.

Other meanings

  • keepverb
  • preserveverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Bewahrungpreservationnoun
  • Aufbewahrungstoragenoun

Word lists with this word