Bereichern

Bereichern is a German verb meaning to make something richer or more valuable, to enhance its content, quality, or value. It can refer to material resources as well as to non-material aspects such as information, culture, or experiences. The term is commonly used in both concrete and figurative contexts.

As a transitive verb, bereichern takes a direct object: for example, eine Sammlung bereichern (to enrich a collection), den Fonds durch Spenden bereichern (to enrich the fund with donations), or eine Rede durch neue Details bereichern (to enrich a speech with new details). In a metaphorical sense, a person or a discussion can be bereichert by new insights. Reflexively, sich bereichern means to enrich oneself, often with a negative connotation when it implies unjust or illegal gain, as in sich illegal bereichert or sich an einem Geschäft bereichert.

Bereicherung is the corresponding noun, referring to the act or result of enrichment. It is used in neutral as well as in morally charged contexts: die Bereicherung des kulturellen Lebens (the enrichment of cultural life) or die Bereicherung durch betrügerische Machenschaften (the enrichment through fraudulent schemes).

Etymology and related terms: bereichern is formed with the prefix be- attached to a stem associated with meaning of value or wealth; the related noun Bereicherung denotes the process or outcome of making something richer. Related verbs include anreichern (to enrich by adding) and the noun Bereicherung; common antonyms focus on impoverishment or reduction of value.

See also: Bereicherung, anreichern, Erhöhung (increase), Verbesserung (improvement).