bewundern

Bewundern is a German transitive verb meaning to admire someone or something, to regard with admiration, or to marvel at the qualities, beauty, or achievements of a person, object, or situation. The verb expresses positive appraisal and often implies inspiration or esteem rather than mere recognition.

Etymology: Bewundern is formed with the prefix be- attached to the verb wundern, which originally meant to astonish or surprise. The combined form developed the modern sense of looking at something with admiration. The related noun Bewunderung denotes admiration or astonishment, while Wunder refers to a marvel.

Usage: Bewundern takes a direct object in the accusative (Ich bewundere dich; Wir bewundern seine Geduld). It can express admiration for people, works of art, achievements, or natural beauty. It can be strengthened with für to indicate the reason (Ich bewundere sie für ihren Mut).

Grammar: The verb is conjugated as a regular verb. Present indicative: ich bewundere, du bewunderst, er bewundert, wir bewundern, ihr bewundert, sie bewundern. Simple past (Präteritum): ich bewunderte, du bewunderstest, er bewunderte, wir bewunderten, ihr bewundertet, sie bewunderten. Perfekt is formed with haben: ich habe bewundert, du hast bewundert, er hat bewundert, etc. Imperative: bewundere (du), bewundert (ihr), bewundern Sie (Sie).

See also: Bewunderung, Wundern, Wunder. Bewundern is commonly used to express positive appraisal of people, art, performance, or natural phenomena, and is distinct from more critical or analytical terms such as anerkennen or respektieren.