zuwenden

Definition & meaning

The verb zuwenden can be used in two primary ways:

1. To turn towards something or someone: This can be physical, such as turning your head or body toward a person, or figurative, such as focusing your attention or interest on a specific subject, task, or person.
2. To bestow or grant: In a more formal or legal context, it means to give something to someone, often in the sense of providing support, a gift, or an inheritance.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: It is a separable verb (trennbare Verben). In a sentence, the prefix zu- is separated from the stem wenden when conjugated (e.g., "Ich wende mich dem Projekt zu"). It is also a reflexive verb (sich zuwenden) when meaning to turn one's attention to something.

Origin: The word is a compound of the preposition zu (to/towards) and the verb wenden (to turn). It describes the movement or direction of attention or an object toward a specific target.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Physical/Focus: sich widmen?, sich konzentrieren auf?, sich ausrichten auf?, zueignen?.
• Bestow: schenken?, überreichen?, zukommen lassen?.

Antonyms:

• sich abwenden? (to turn away)
• ignorieren? (to ignore)
• vernachlässigen? (to neglect)