German word

erfreuen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈfʁɔʏ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verbplease

Example

Die Nachricht erfreut mich sehr.

The news pleases me very much.

Illustration for erfreuen (please)

More examples

Kleine Gesten erfreuen das Team.

Small gestures please the team.

Core concept

A person receives something that brightens the mood and brings pleasure.

Common phrases

  • erfreut das Team

    pleases the team

  • etwas erfreut jemanden

    Something pleases someone

Similar words

freuen: Feel pleased or happy about something.
begeistern: Arouse strong enthusiasm or fascination in someone.
glücklich machen: Cause someone to feel happy and fulfilled.

Definition in German

Jemandem durch etwas Freude bereiten.

Word origin

Erfreuen combines the prefix er- with freuen, a verb descended from Middle High German vröuwen and related to joy.

Usage tips

  • Erfreuen is more formal than everyday es freut mich and commonly takes a person as its accusative object, as in Die Nachricht erfreut mich.

Other meanings

  • be pleasedverb
  • enjoyverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word