erhöhen

Meaning (English):

• to increase / to raise (make something higher in amount, level, intensity, price, etc.)
• to elevate / raise (physically raise something to a higher position, more formal/less common than hochheben)

Common uses

1. Increase (quantity/level/value):

   • die Preise erhöhen = to raise prices
   • die Steuern erhöhen = to increase taxes
   • die Geschwindigkeit/Lautstärke erhöhen = to increase speed/volume
   • die Produktion erhöhen = to increase production

2. Raise (position/height), more formal:

   • den Kopf/Arm erhöhen = to raise one’s head/arm
   • eine Plattform erhöhen = to raise/elevate a platform

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Word parts

• er-: a prefix often used to form verbs; here it helps create the verb meaning “make higher / bring to a higher level.”
• höhen relates to hoch / Höhe (“high / height”). So erhöhen literally conveys “to make higher.”

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German synonyms

(Depending on context)

• steigern (to increase, often performance/efficiency/intensity)
• anheben (to raise; also prices/levels; often more “lift”/“raise” nuance)
• vergrößern (to enlarge/increase in size/extent)
• aufstocken (to increase by adding; e.g., budget, staff)
• verstärken (to intensify/strengthen; e.g., pressure, measures)
• heben (to lift/raise; more general, sometimes physical)

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German antonyms

(Depending on context)

• senken (to lower; prices, taxes, level)
• verringern (to reduce)
• reduzieren (to reduce)
• mindern (to lessen, diminish; more formal)
• abnehmen (to decrease; “go down” in amount)