German word

erziehen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈtsiːən/

Meaning

  • verbbring up

Example

Wir erziehen unsere Kinder mit Liebe.

We bring up our children with love.

Illustration for erziehen (bring up)

More examples

Wenn Eltern ihre Kinder vernachlässigen, können sie sie nicht richtig erziehen.

If parents neglect their children, they cannot bring them up properly.

Core concept

An adult steadily guides a child toward independent judgment through everyday example, boundaries, and care.

Common phrases

  • gewaltfrei erziehen

    bring up without violence

  • sozial kompetent erziehen

    bring up to be socially competent

Similar words

großziehen: Bring a child up until adulthood or self-sufficiency.
aufziehen: Care for and raise a child from early childhood onward.
unterrichten: Help someone gain knowledge or skills through teaching.
betreuen: Look after a child and provide supervision for a defined period.

Definition in German

Durch Anleitung, Regeln und Zuwendung einer Person Werte, Normen und Selbstständigkeit vermitteln.

Word origin

The verb combines the prefix er- with ziehen, originally expressing drawing or bringing something toward a result, and developed the sense of rearing or educating.

Usage tips

  • Erziehen covers long-term upbringing and character formation, while unterrichten usually focuses on teaching a subject or skill.

Other meanings

  • educateverb
  • disciplineverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Erziehungsberatungparenting counselingnoun
  • Erziehungsmaßnahmedisciplinary measurenoun

Word lists with this word