German word

erweitern

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈvaɪ̯tɐn/

Meaning

  • verbexpand

Example

Wir erweitern das Programm.

We are expanding the program.

Illustration for erweitern (expand)

More examples

Reisen helfen, den Horizont zu erweitern.

Traveling helps broaden one's horizons.

Core concept

A boundary moves outward, leaving more room for content, choices, or activity.

Common phrases

  • den Wortschatz erweitern

    expand the vocabulary

  • die Kenntnisse erweitern

    expand one's knowledge

  • den Horizont erweitern

    broaden one's horizons

Similar words

ausweiten: To extend something's scope or influence into a wider area.
ausbauen: To expand a system or structure by improving its features and capabilities.
ergänzen: To complete an existing whole by adding missing information or parts.
verbreitern: To increase the width or lateral extent of something.

Definition in German

den Umfang, die Möglichkeiten oder die Inhalte von etwas vergrößern; etwas breiter oder umfangreicher machen.

Word origin

The verb goes back to German weit ('wide') and combines it with the prefix er- and the verb-forming suffix -ern.

Usage tips

  • Erweitern is a regular weak verb with the inseparable prefix er-, so its past participle is erweitert, not geerweitert.

Other meanings

  • enlargeverb
  • broadenverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word