begünstigen
Meaning and Usage
"Begünstigen" in German means to favor, promote, or support something or someone. It can also be used in the sense of showing preference or giving an advantage to someone or something.
Linguistic Analysis
The word "begünstigen" is a verb and is composed of the prefix "be-" and the root "günstig," which means favorable. The suffix "-en" indicates that it is an infinitive verb. The word can be traced back to the Middle High German "günstigen," which means to show favor.
Comparisons between German and English
The word "begünstigen" is similar in meaning to the English word "to favor," but it encompasses a broader range of meanings, including promoting or supporting.
Cultural Context
In German culture, the concept of "begünstigen" is related to fairness and equal opportunities. It can also be related to political or economic contexts where certain entities are favored or promoted.
Example Sentences
- Die Regierung begünstigt die Entwicklung erneuerbarer Energien.
- Sie begünstigt immer ihre jüngere Schwester.
- Die neuen Maßnahmen begünstigen kleine Unternehmen.
Memory Tips
Associate "begünstigen" with the idea of something being “favorable” or “preferred” to help remember its meaning.
Additional Vocabulary
- die Gunst (favor)
- bevorzugen (to prefer)
- unterstützen (to support)
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
N/A
Conjugation (for verbs)
- ich begünstige (I favor)
- du begünstigst (you favor)
- er/sie/es begünstigt (he/she/it favors)
- wir begünstigen (we favor)
- ihr begünstigt (you favor)
- sie begünstigen (they favor)