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reizen
/ˈʁaɪ̯t͡sn̩/
to provoke or irritate
Seine ständigen Kritik reizt mich.
His constant criticism irritates me.
informal
To provoke, irritate, or annoy someone
Das laute Geräusch reizt die Nachbarn.
The loud noise irritates the neighbors.
Often used to describe emotional reactions to provocations.
Medicine
formal
To stimulate or excite (in a medical or sensory context)
Der Arzt reizte den Nerv, um die Reaktion zu testen.
The doctor stimulated the nerve to test the reaction.
In medical contexts, it refers to the stimulation of nerves or tissues.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'reizen' depends heavily on the context—whether it's emotional provocation or medical stimulation.
Gold Rule
Avoid Misinterpretation
In formal contexts, 'reizen' can mean 'to stimulate,' so be careful not to confuse it with its more common meaning of 'to irritate.'
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'reizen', possibly from Old French 'reser' (to provoke).
Usage Notes
The verb 'reizen' can have both negative (irritate) and neutral (stimulate) connotations depending on the context.
Word Breakdown
reiz-
stimulus, provocation
root-en
verb suffix
suffixDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch