erfordern

Meaning and Usage

"erfordern" means "to require" or "to necessitate" in English. It is used to express the necessity or requirement for something to be done or present in a particular situation.

Linguistic Analysis

The word "erfordern" is a verb in German. It is a compound word, formed by the prefix "er-" and the root "fordern". The prefix "er-" often indicates a sense of completion or intensification, while the root "fordern" translates to "to demand" or "to claim". The combination of the two gives the meaning of "to require" or "to necessitate". The etymology of "fordern" can be traced back to the Middle High German word "vordern" which also meant "to demand".

Comparisons between German and English

The word "erfordern" shares similarity with the English word "require" in both meaning and usage.

Cultural Context

Understanding the verb "erfordern" is important in various contexts, such as in formal documents, instructions, or discussions where the requirement or necessity of something is being communicated.

Example Sentences

  1. Die Aufgabe erfordert viel Geduld.
  2. Diese Arbeit erfordert spezielle Kenntnisse.
  3. Das Projekt erfordert eine sorgfältige Planung.

Memory Tips

To remember the meaning of "erfordern", think of the prefix "er-" as intensifying the meaning of "fordern", which means "to demand". Therefore, "erfordern" can be thought of as "to strongly demand" or "to require".

Additional Vocabulary

  • benötigen - to need
  • verlangen - to demand
  • erforderlich - required, necessary

Gender and Plural (for nouns)

N/A - "erfordern" is a verb and does not have gender or plural forms.

Conjugation (for verbs)

  • ich erfordere - I require
  • du erforderst - you require
  • er/sie/es erfordert - he/she/it requires
  • wir erfordern - we require
  • ihr erfordert - you require (plural)
  • sie erfordern - they require