an|regen
Translation
to stimulate, to suggest, to encourage, to inspire
Examples
Kaffee regt den Kreislauf an.
Coffee stimulates the circulation.
Das Buch regt zum Nachdenken an.
The book encourages you to think.
Grammar Patterns
to stimulate ((sth.)) to stimulate (sth.) Coffee stimulates the circulation.
to encourage ((sb.)) ((to sth.)) to encourage (sb.) to (do sth.) The book encourages you to think.
Similar Words
stimulieren (to stimulate), vorschlagen (to suggest), ermutigen (to encourage)
Etymology
Comes from 'an-' (on, towards) and 'regen' (to stir, to move). The idea is to 'stir on' or 'get something moving'.
Memory Tips
Imagine 'stirring on' a debate or a thought process. The 'an-' prefix often implies initiation.