pflegen
/ˈp͡fleːɡn̩/To take care of someone or something, often in a nurturing or medical context.
Er pflegt seinen Garten sehr sorgfältig.
He takes care of his garden very carefully.
Die Krankenschwester pflegt die Patienten.
The nurse takes care of the patients.
Can be used for both physical and emotional care.
To maintain or preserve something, such as a tradition or relationship.
Sie pflegen eine enge Freundschaft.
They maintain a close friendship.
Die Familie pflegt alte Bräuche.
The family preserves old traditions.
Often used in the context of relationships or cultural practices.
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Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Pflegen' is often used with the preposition 'zu' when referring to habits or routines, e.g., 'Er pflegt, jeden Morgen zu joggen.' (He takes care to jog every morning.)
⚡Gold Rule
Transitive vs. Intransitive
'Pflegen' can be both transitive (taking care of someone or something) and intransitive (maintaining a habit or tradition).
📖Word Origin
From Middle High German 'pflegen', from Old High German 'pflegan', meaning 'to take care of' or 'to attend to'.
📝Usage Notes
The verb 'pflegen' is often used in the context of caregiving, maintenance, or preserving relationships. It can be transitive or intransitive depending on the context.