verb
begehren
desire · covet
Ein sehr starker Wunsch, etwas Bestimmtes zu besitzen oder eine Person sehr zu mögen.
The German word "begehren" is a verb meaning "to desire," "to covet," or "to crave."
- It is built upon the root "Gehr(e)" related to "going" or "striving," but here it functions as a whole verb linked to desire.
- The base verb "begehren" expresses a strong wish or longing for something, often with a sense of passion.
Similar words:
- wünschen (to wish)
- verlangen (to demand, to desire)
- sehnen (to long for)
Differences:
- "begehren" often implies a stronger or more intense desire, sometimes with an emotional or even legal context (e.g., to covet something).
- "wünschen" is more neutral and general for wishing.
- "verlangen" can be more forceful, sometimes implying a demand rather than a wish.
- "sehnen" focuses on emotional longing or yearning.
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Examples
Manche begehren seltene Bücher.verb
Some desire rare books.
Früher begehrten die Menschen einfache Dinge mehr als heute.verb
In the past, people desired simple things more than today.
Niemand sollte den Reichtum anderer Leute begehren.verb
No one should covet other people's wealth.
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