Verb

hegen

Translation

to cherish, to nurture, to harbor, to foster

Sie hegt und pflegt ihre Pflanzen.

She tends and nurtures her plants.

Er hegt den Wunsch, Arzt zu werden.

He cherishes the wish to become a doctor.

Ich hege keinen Groll gegen dich.

I harbor no grudge against you.

((sth.)) to harbor/cherish sth. (a feeling, a wish) He hegt a wish to travel the world.

((sth.)) to tend/nurture sth. (plants, animals) She hegt and pflegt her garden.

pflegen, nähren, hüten; Antonym: vernachlässigen

From Old High German 'hegan' (to enclose, hedge in), which evolved to mean 'to protect, care for'. Related to 'Hag' (hedge).

Think of a 'hedge' protecting something valuable. You 'hegen' what's inside the hedge. It can also mean to 'hedge in' or harbor feelings.