German word

ernähren

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈnɛːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbfeed

Example

Die Mutter ernährt das Baby mit Muttermilch.

The mother feeds the baby breast milk.

Illustration for ernähren (feed)

More examples

In vielen Regionen ernähren sich Familien von dem, was sie selbst anbauen.

In many regions, families live on what they grow themselves.

Core concept

A household's food supply becomes the practical support that sustains a person or family.

Common phrases

  • sich ernähren von

    live on

  • sich ernähren von Pflanzen

    feed on plants

  • eine Nation ernähren

    feed a nation

Similar words

versorgen: Needed food and provisions are supplied to a person or household.
verpflegen: Meals are prepared and provided for people in an institution or group.
füttern: Food is given directly by mouth to a baby or animal.
nähren: Nourishment is provided to support growth and preserve vitality.

Definition in German

jemandem Nahrung geben oder dafür sorgen, dass jemand genug zu essen hat; im weiteren Sinn auch für den Lebensunterhalt sorgen

Word origin

Ernähren is a prefixed form of nähren, 'to nourish'; its range includes both giving nourishment and providing the means of subsistence.

Usage tips

  • The reflexive sich ernähren often means 'to live on' and commonly takes von with the dative, as in sich von Reis ernähren.

Other meanings

  • supportverb
  • live onverb

Opposites

  • unterernährenundernourishverb

Related words

  • Ernährungnutritionnoun
  • Ernährungszustandnutritional statusnoun

Word lists with this word