an|treiben
Translation
to drive, to power, to motivate, to urge on
Examples
Ein Motor treibt das Schiff an.
A motor powers the ship.
Sein Ehrgeiz treibt ihn an.
His ambition drives him.
Der Trainer treibt die Mannschaft an.
The coach urges the team on.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((antreiben)) to drive/power sth. A turbine antreibt the generator.
((sb.)) ((zu+3)) ((antreiben)) to urge sb. to do sth. She antreibt him to work harder.
Similar Words
Synonyms: motivieren, bewegen, fördern; Antonyms: bremsen, hemmen
Etymology
From an- (on, forward) + treiben (to drive). Literally 'to drive on' or 'to drive forward'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'driving' (treiben) something 'onward' (an), like a motor driving a car or ambition driving a person.