Ermutigt

Ermutigt is a German past participle and adjective derived from the verb ermutigen, meaning to encourage or to embolden. As a participle, ermutigt describes a state in which someone has received encouragement, or it can describe something that provides encouragement. It can function predicatively, as in “Sie fühlt sich ermutigt,” or attributively in certain contexts, though more common is its use in perfect constructions with haben.

Etymology and grammar: ermutigen is formed with the prefix er- added to Mut (courage), giving the sense of inducing courage. The corresponding noun is Ermutigung (encouragement). The participle ermutigt is the standard form used with helping verbs to form perfect tenses (haben) or in passive constructions with werden: “Die Lehrerin hat die Schüler ermutigt” or “Die Mannschaft wurde ermutigt.”

Usage notes: ermutigt is frequently employed in educational, organizational, and personal contexts to describe positive reinforcement or support. It contrasts with aufmuntern (to cheer up) in nuance: ermutigen connotes building resolve or confidence, not merely lifting mood. Common collocations include ermutigende Worte (encouraging words) and someone being ermutigt durch bestimmte Informationen oder Ergebnisse. For example: “Die Ergebnisse haben die Belegschaft ermutigt,” or “Er war von der Nachricht ermutigt, weiterzumachen.”

See also: ermutigen, Ermutigung, aufmuntern, bestärken.