German wachsen versus anbauen: meaning and use

The idea

Use wachsen for growing as a living thing or quantity. Use anbauen for cultivating plants. Read the complete sentence before choosing: the object, situation, time reference and relationship between speakers can determine the better expression. Where the meanings overlap, both can be possible with a different emphasis. The reference table states the senses taught here; other dictionary senses may require a different translation.

Patterns to compare

Expression	Meaning in comparison
wachsen	„Wachsen“ beschreibt die eigene Entwicklung.
anbauen	„Anbauen“ bedeutet Pflanzen gezielt kultivieren.

Examples

• Im Schatten wächst diese Pflanze langsam.This plant grows slowly in the shade.
• Auf dem Balkon bauen wir Tomaten an.We grow tomatoes on the balcony.
• Die Kinder sind im letzten Jahr viel gewachsen.The children have grown a lot in the past year.
• Unser Nachbar hat früher Kartoffeln angebaut.Our neighbour used to grow potatoes.
• Hinter dem Schuppen wächst wilder Wein.Virginia creeper grows behind the shed.
• Auf dem Versuchsfeld baut der Verein Kürbisse an.The club grows pumpkins in the experimental field.

Watch out

Anbauen has other senses, including adding a building; this page owns the plant contrast.

Try it yourself

1. What does “wachsen” mean in the first example sentence? Explain how it differs from the meaning of “anbauen”.

   Show answer or example answer

   „Wachsen“ beschreibt die eigene Entwicklung. „Anbauen“ bedeutet Pflanzen gezielt kultivieren.

   wachsen matches growing as a living thing or quantity; the German definition gives the intended sense.

2. Explain the choice of word in this sentence. What meaning would the other expression have? Auf dem Balkon bauen wir Tomaten an.

   Show answer or example answer

   anbauen: „Anbauen“ bedeutet Pflanzen gezielt kultivieren.

   Auf dem Balkon bauen wir Tomaten an. uses anbauen for cultivating plants. The answer depends on this context, not only on the spelling of the word.

3. Write a separate sentence for each expression. Use “wachsen” and “anbauen” in different situations.

   Show answer or example answer

   Mögliche Lösungen: Die Kinder sind im letzten Jahr viel gewachsen. Unser Nachbar hat früher Kartoffeln angebaut.

   The model pair keeps the meanings separate: wachsen expresses growing as a living thing or quantity, whereas anbauen expresses cultivating plants. Other original sentences are possible if their context supports the chosen sense.

Use it today

Describe two real situations from your day, using wachsen in one and anbauen in the other. Underline the detail that makes the chosen meaning appropriate. If both expressions could fit, explain the change in emphasis rather than marking the alternative automatically wrong.