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beschleunigen

A2 verb #7,000 most common 11 min read

beschleunigen

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips beschleunigen in 30 Seconds

Explanation beschleunigen in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to understand 'beschleunigen' in very simple contexts, mainly related to cars or bikes. Think of it as 'making things faster'. You might see it in a picture book about vehicles or hear it when someone talks about a fast car. At this stage, you don't need to use it yourself often, but recognizing that it comes from the word 'schnell' (fast) will help you remember it. You can imagine a car going from slow to fast on a highway. A1 learners should focus on the basic idea: 'Auto + beschleunigen = car goes faster'. It is a transitive verb, so you usually accelerate 'something', but in the context of vehicles, the 'something' is often the vehicle itself. Simple examples: 'Das Auto beschleunigt.' or 'Ich beschleunige.' (though 'ich fahre schneller' is more common for A1). You won't find this word in most A1 textbooks, as it is considered more specific than 'schnell', but knowing it gives you a head start on understanding how German verbs are built from adjectives.

At the A2 level, 'beschleunigen' becomes more useful. You can use it to describe daily activities or simple work processes. For example, you might say you want to 'beschleunigen' your learning of German. You will encounter it in traffic reports or when reading about technology. At A2, you should be able to conjugate it in the present tense: 'ich beschleunige', 'du beschleunigst', 'er/sie/es beschleunigt'. You should also know the past participle 'beschleunigt' to form the perfect tense: 'Ich habe das Auto beschleunigt.' You might also see it in the context of health, like 'Sport beschleunigt den Puls' (Sport speeds up the pulse). It's a great word to use when 'schneller machen' feels too simple. You can use it to talk about your hobbies, like running, where you might 'beschleunigen' at the end of a race. It helps you describe changes in pace more accurately than just saying 'schneller'.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'beschleunigen' in more abstract and professional contexts. You will hear it in news broadcasts about the economy or politics. For example, 'Die Regierung möchte den Bau von Wohnungen beschleunigen.' (The government wants to speed up the construction of apartments.) You should be comfortable using it with objects like 'Prozess', 'Verfahren', or 'Entwicklung'. At this level, you should also understand the noun 'die Beschleunigung' (acceleration). You can use it to discuss social trends or environmental issues, such as 'Der Klimawandel beschleunigt das Schmelzen der Gletscher.' You will also start to see it in subordinate clauses: 'Es ist wichtig, dass wir die Produktion beschleunigen.' B1 learners should also distinguish between 'beschleunigen' and 'sich beeilen'. While 'sich beeilen' is for people who are late, 'beschleunigen' is for the actual increase in speed of an action or object. This distinction is key for sounding more natural in German.

At the B2 level, 'beschleunigen' is a standard part of your vocabulary for discussing complex topics. You will use it in essays and presentations to describe trends and scientific phenomena. You should be familiar with its use in passive constructions: 'Die Digitalisierung muss beschleunigt werden.' You will also encounter it in more sophisticated collocations, such as 'das Verfahren beschleunigen' (to fast-track the procedure) or 'den Stoffwechsel beschleunigen' (to boost the metabolism). At this level, you might also use it reflexively: 'Die Entwicklung beschleunigt sich.' You can discuss the 'Beschleunigungsgesellschaft' (acceleration society) and how technology impacts our sense of time. You should also be aware of synonyms like 'forcieren' or 'vorantreiben' and know when to use 'beschleunigen' instead. For instance, in a business report, you would use 'beschleunigen' to refer to a measurable increase in speed, whereas 'vorantreiben' might be used for pushing a project forward toward a goal.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'beschleunigen' and its implications in various fields. You will encounter it in academic texts, high-level journalism, and literature. You should be able to use it to describe subtle changes in momentum, both physical and metaphorical. For example, in a sociological context, you might discuss how 'die soziale Beschleunigung' leads to alienation. In a scientific context, you might describe how a catalyst 'die Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit beschleunigt'. You should also be comfortable with related terms like 'Beschleunigungsmesser' (accelerometer) or 'Teilchenbeschleuniger' (particle accelerator). Your usage should be precise, choosing 'beschleunigen' when the focus is strictly on the increase in speed or rate. You can also use it in more literary ways, such as 'den Herzschlag beschleunigen' to describe excitement or fear. At C1, you are expected to understand the word in all its registers, from technical manuals to philosophical treatises.

At the C2 level, you have mastered 'beschleunigen' and can use it with the same flexibility as a native speaker. You understand its role in complex idiomatic expressions and can use it to convey precise shades of meaning in professional and academic discourse. You might analyze the 'Beschleunigung' of historical processes or the 'beschleunigte Expansion des Universums' in an astrophysics context. You are familiar with the word's etymological roots and its relationship to other words in the 'schnell' family. You can use it in highly formal settings, such as legal or diplomatic negotiations, where 'die Beschleunigung des Verfahrens' might be a key point of discussion. You also recognize when the word is being used rhetorically to create a sense of urgency or progress. At this level, the word is not just a verb for 'speeding up'; it is a versatile tool for analyzing and describing the dynamics of any system, whether it be mechanical, biological, social, or cosmic.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

beschleunigen in 30 Seconds

Beschleunigen is a German verb meaning 'to accelerate' or 'to speed up', used for both physical motion and abstract processes.
It is a weak verb (beschleunigte, hat beschleunigt) and is primarily transitive, requiring an object that is being sped up.
Common contexts include driving vehicles, scientific experiments, business project management, and sociological discussions about the pace of life.
It should not be confused with 'sich beeilen' (to hurry), which is used for people who are personally in a rush.

The German verb beschleunigen is a cornerstone of both everyday movement and abstract progress. At its core, it describes the act of increasing speed or making something happen faster than its previous rate. Derived from the adjective schnell (fast), the prefix be- transforms the concept into a transitive action—literally 'to make fast' or 'to apply speed' to an object or a process. In the physical world, you encounter this word every time you step on the gas pedal of a car. In the professional world, you hear it when deadlines are moved up or when a company wants to 'fast-track' a project. It is a word that vibrates with energy, urgency, and the modern drive for efficiency.

Physical Motion: This is the most literal application. It refers to an object gaining velocity, such as a train leaving a station or an athlete sprinting toward the finish line. In physics, it specifically refers to the rate of change of velocity.

Der Sportwagen kann in nur drei Sekunden von Null auf einhundert Stundenkilometer beschleunigen.

Beyond the physical, beschleunigen is heavily used in metaphorical contexts. When we talk about the 'acceleration of life' in the digital age, we use the noun Beschleunigung. As a verb, it describes the shortening of durations. If a chemical reaction is aided by a catalyst, the catalyst beschleunigt the reaction. If a government wants to boost the economy, it might introduce measures to beschleunigen economic growth. It is a versatile tool for describing any situation where the tempo is being raised.

Abstract Processes: Used for administrative procedures, learning curves, or historical developments. It implies that a natural or standard pace is being bypassed for a more rapid outcome.

Wir müssen das Genehmigungsverfahren für das neue Bauprojekt unbedingt beschleunigen.

In a sociological context, German philosopher Hartmut Rosa has written extensively about 'Beschleunigung' as a defining feature of modernity. In this sense, the word carries a weight of cultural critique—the idea that our lives are moving too fast. When you use this word in a discussion about society, you are tapping into a deep German intellectual tradition regarding the pace of modern existence. Whether it is a heartbeat, a car, or a career, beschleunigen is the verb of the fast lane.

Die Digitalisierung hat den sozialen Wandel in den letzten Jahrzehnten massiv beschleunigt.

Technical Application: In physics and engineering, 'beschleunigen' is used to describe the action of forces on mass. Particle accelerators are called 'Teilchenbeschleuniger'.

In einem Teilchenbeschleuniger werden Protonen auf nahezu Lichtgeschwindigkeit beschleunigt.

Der Läufer versuchte, auf den letzten Metern noch einmal zu beschleunigen.

Using beschleunigen correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a transitive verb. In most cases, it takes a direct object in the accusative case—the thing that is being sped up. However, it can also be used intransitively when the subject itself is the thing increasing speed, though this is often accompanied by a prepositional phrase or an adverbial modifier indicating the change.

Transitive Usage (Object): Subject + beschleunigen + Accusative Object. Example: 'Die Firma beschleunigt die Produktion.' (The company accelerates production.)

Kaffee kann den Stoffwechsel beschleunigen.

When dealing with vehicles or movement, beschleunigen is often used without a direct object if the context implies the vehicle itself. For instance, 'Das Auto beschleunigt gut' means the car has good acceleration. In more formal or scientific writing, you might see it used with 'sich', though this is less common than in English where 'to accelerate' can naturally be reflexive. In German, 'der Prozess beschleunigt sich' (the process accelerates) is perfectly valid and emphasizes that the acceleration is happening organically.

Intransitive/Reflexive Usage: Focuses on the change in state. Example: 'Sein Puls beschleunigte sich, als er die Nachricht las.' (His pulse quickened/accelerated when he read the news.)

Das Tempo der Veränderungen beschleunigt sich stetig.

In the imperative form, you might use it to tell someone to speed up, though 'Gib Gas!' or 'Mach schneller!' are more common in casual speech. In a driving lesson, however, an instructor might say: 'Jetzt beschleunigen Sie bitte auf 80 km/h.' This highlights the word's place in formal or technical instruction. It is also frequently found in the passive voice in news reports: 'Der Ausbau des Schienennetzes soll beschleunigt werden' (The expansion of the rail network is to be accelerated).

Durch die neue Software wurde der gesamte Arbeitsablauf massiv beschleunigt.

Modal Verb Construction: Often used with 'müssen' or 'können' to express necessity or capability. Example: 'Wir müssen unser Tempo beschleunigen, um rechtzeitig anzukommen.'

Kannst du die Videoaufnahme etwas beschleunigen?

Wenn wir nicht beschleunigen, verpassen wir den Anschluss.

You will encounter beschleunigen in a variety of environments, ranging from the mundane to the highly specialized. It is a 'high-frequency' word in news media, particularly in segments focusing on the economy, technology, and climate change. When a news anchor speaks about 'Wirtschaftswachstum' (economic growth), they almost inevitably mention the need to beschleunigen certain sectors. Similarly, in discussions about the 'Energiewende' (energy transition), you will hear about the need to beschleunigen the construction of wind turbines or solar farms.

In the Media: Common in headlines like 'Regierung will Asylverfahren beschleunigen' or 'KI wird die medizinische Forschung beschleunigen'.

Die Tagesschau berichtete, dass die Inflation den Preisverfall beschleunigt hat.

In the workplace, beschleunigen is a staple of project management. During a 'Jour Fixe' (regular meeting), a manager might ask how the team can beschleunigen the delivery of a software update. It sounds more professional and precise than 'schneller machen'. It implies a systematic effort to increase efficiency. You will also see it in technical manuals for machinery or software—for example, a setting that allows you to beschleunigen the playback speed of a video or the processing of data.

Professional Context: Used in business strategies, logistics, and IT. Phrases like 'Prozessbeschleunigung' (process acceleration) are common buzzwords.

Wir müssen die Markteinführung unseres neuen Produkts beschleunigen, um der Konkurrenz zuvorzukommen.

Science and education are other major domains. In a physics classroom, students learn about 'beschleunigte Bewegung' (accelerated motion). In biology, teachers explain how enzymes beschleunigen biochemical reactions. Even in sports commentary, you will hear it: 'Der Stürmer beschleunigt auf dem rechten Flügel' (The striker accelerates on the right wing). It is a word that bridges the gap between a high-school lab and a professional football stadium.

Ein Katalysator ist ein Stoff, der eine chemische Reaktion beschleunigen kann, ohne dabei selbst verbraucht zu werden.

Academic and Scientific: Used in physics, chemistry, and sociology to describe rates of change and developmental speeds.

Die Erderwärmung scheint sich in den Polarregionen zu beschleunigen.

Um den Termin einzuhalten, müssen wir die Arbeitsschritte deutlich beschleunigen.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using beschleunigen when they actually mean 'to hurry' or 'to rush'. In English, you might say 'I need to accelerate' if you are late for a meeting. In German, using beschleunigen here would sound very strange, as if you were a machine. Instead, you should use the reflexive verb sich beeilen. Remember: beschleunigen is about speed/velocity, while sich beeilen is about the human feeling of being in a rush.

Mistake: Confusing with 'sich beeilen': Wrong: 'Ich muss beschleunigen, sonst komme ich zu spät.' (Sounds like you are a car). Correct: 'Ich muss mich beeilen, sonst komme ich zu spät.'

Bitte beeile dich! (NOT: beschleunige dich!)

Another common error involves the misuse of prepositions. Students often try to translate 'accelerate to' directly as 'beschleunigen zu'. While 'zu' is sometimes used, the more common and natural preposition for speed targets is 'auf'. For example, 'auf 100 km/h beschleunigen'. Using 'zu' can sometimes change the meaning to 'accelerating towards a goal', but for numerical speeds, 'auf' is the standard choice. Furthermore, learners often forget that beschleunigen is a weak verb and try to use a strong past participle like 'beschlungen' (which isn't a word) instead of 'beschleunigt'.

Mistake: Wrong Preposition: Wrong: 'Das Auto beschleunigt zu 100 km/h.' Correct: 'Das Auto beschleunigt auf 100 km/h.'

Der Zug hat auf die Höchstgeschwindigkeit beschleunigt.

A subtle mistake is the over-reliance on the word in informal contexts. While beschleunigen is perfectly correct, using it in a casual conversation about a bike ride might sound slightly overly technical or 'stiff'. In such cases, Germans would likely say 'schneller fahren' or 'an Fahrt aufnehmen'. Use beschleunigen when you want to sound precise, professional, or when talking about technical specifications. Finally, ensure you don't confuse it with 'erschweren' (to make difficult), which is its functional opposite in some process-oriented contexts.

Mistake: Conjugation Errors: Wrong: 'Er beschleunigte das Auto sehr schnell.' (Wait, this is actually correct, but sometimes people say 'beschleunigst' instead of 'beschleunigt' for the third person singular).

Er beschleunigt (NOT: beschleunigst) den Prozess.

Wir haben die Verhandlungen beschleunigt.

German offers a rich palette of synonyms for beschleunigen, each with a slightly different nuance. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about a car, a project, or a physical feeling. The most direct synonym is schneller machen, which is more colloquial and literal. In professional settings, you might prefer intensivieren (to intensify) or vorantreiben (to drive forward), especially when talking about abstract goals or developments.

beschleunigen vs. vorantreiben: beschleunigen: Focuses on the rate of speed. vorantreiben: Focuses on making progress or pushing something to its next stage. You 'vorantreiben' a project more often than you 'beschleunigen' it, though both are possible.

Wir müssen die Digitalisierung an den Schulen vorantreiben.

Another interesting alternative is forcieren. This word, borrowed from French, implies a certain amount of pressure or force being applied to make something happen faster. It is often used in political or business contexts. For more physical speed, you might use an Fahrt aufnehmen (to pick up speed/momentum), which is a common idiom used for ships, trains, and metaphorical processes like an election campaign or economic recovery.

beschleunigen vs. forcieren: beschleunigen: Neutral, technical, or general. forcieren: Implies intentional, often aggressive, effort to speed something up. Example: 'Die Regierung forciert den Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien.'

Die Verhandlungen wurden durch den Druck der Öffentlichkeit forciert.

In a more informal or idiomatic sense, you might hear Gas geben (literally 'to give gas'). While this originated in driving, it is now used for any situation where someone needs to work harder or faster. 'Wir müssen jetzt mal ordentlich Gas geben, wenn wir fertig werden wollen!' On the opposite end of the spectrum, the scientific synonym akzelerieren exists but is extremely rare outside of very specialized academic texts. For everyday use, beschleunigen remains the gold standard for 'to accelerate'.

beschleunigen vs. Gas geben: beschleunigen: Formal, technical. Gas geben: Informal, idiomatic, very common in spoken German.

Komm, wir müssen Gas geben, der Film fängt gleich an!

Das Wirtschaftswachstum hat an Fahrt aufgenommen.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The antonym 'entschleunigen' was only added to the Duden dictionary in 1996 as a response to the modern trend of 'slow living' and stress reduction.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bəˈʃlɔɪ̯nɪɡn̩/

US /bəˈʃlɔɪ̯nɪɡən/

The primary stress is on the second syllable: be-SCHLEU-ni-gen.

Rhymes With

reinigen peinigen bescheinigen vereinigen beipflichtigen beteiligen beunruhigen besänftigen

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'eu' as 'oo' instead of 'oy'.
Putting stress on the first syllable 'be'.
Missing the 'g' sound in the middle.
Confusing the 'sch' with a simple 's'.
Over-emphasizing the final 'n'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'schnell'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct spelling of 'eu' and 'sch'.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation of 'sch' and 'eu' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Very distinct sound, usually easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

schnell machen fahren die Zeit das Auto

Learn Next

entschleunigen die Geschwindigkeit verzögern bremsen der Fortschritt

Advanced

akzelerieren forcieren vorantreiben intensivieren

Grammar to Know

Weak Verb Conjugation

ich beschleunige, du beschleunigst, er beschleunigt...

Transitive Verbs with Accusative

Ich beschleunige den (Akk) Wagen.

Prefix 'be-'

Transforms adjectives or nouns into transitive verbs (e.g., ruhig -> beruhigen).

Perfect Tense with 'haben'

Ich habe den Prozess beschleunigt.

Subordinate Clause Word Order

Ich weiß, dass er beschleunigt.

Examples by Level

Das rote Auto beschleunigt.

The red car accelerates.

Simple subject-verb sentence.

Ich beschleunige jetzt.

I am accelerating now.

Present tense, first person singular.

Der Zug beschleunigt langsam.

The train accelerates slowly.

Adverb 'langsam' modifies the verb.

Kannst du beschleunigen?

Can you accelerate?

Use of modal verb 'können'.

Wir beschleunigen auf der Autobahn.

We are accelerating on the highway.

Prepositional phrase 'auf der Autobahn'.

Das Flugzeug beschleunigt für den Start.

The plane accelerates for takeoff.

Purpose indicated by 'für den Start'.

Er beschleunigt sein Fahrrad.

He accelerates his bicycle.

Transitive use with an object (sein Fahrrad).

Der Läufer beschleunigt am Ende.

The runner accelerates at the end.

Temporal phrase 'am Ende'.

Wir müssen die Arbeit beschleunigen.

We must speed up the work.

Modal verb 'müssen' with infinitive at the end.

Das Auto beschleunigt von 0 auf 100.

The car accelerates from 0 to 100.

Prepositions 'von' and 'auf' for ranges.

Kaffee beschleunigt meinen Herzschlag.

Coffee speeds up my heartbeat.

Transitive use with 'meinen Herzschlag'.

Kannst du das Video beschleunigen?

Can you speed up the video?

Object 'das Video' in the accusative.

Die Firma beschleunigt die Lieferung.

The company accelerates the delivery.

Standard transitive construction.

Er beschleunigte plötzlich sein Tempo.

He suddenly accelerated his pace.

Past tense 'beschleunigte'.

Der Wind beschleunigt die Wellen.

The wind accelerates the waves.

Natural force as the subject.

Wir haben das Projekt beschleunigt.

We have accelerated the project.

Perfect tense with 'haben'.

Die Regierung will das Verfahren beschleunigen.

The government wants to accelerate the procedure.

Use of 'will' to express intent.

Neue Technologien beschleunigen den Alltag.

New technologies accelerate everyday life.

Abstract object 'den Alltag'.

Durch Sport wird der Stoffwechsel beschleunigt.

Through sport, the metabolism is accelerated.

Passive voice construction.

Wir müssen unser Lernen beschleunigen.

We need to accelerate our learning.

Possessive pronoun 'unser' with the noun 'Lernen'.

Die Inflation beschleunigt den Preisanstieg.

Inflation accelerates the rise in prices.

Economic context.

Ich hoffe, dass wir den Prozess beschleunigen können.

I hope that we can accelerate the process.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Die Nachricht beschleunigte seinen Puls.

The news accelerated his pulse.

Metaphorical use for physiological response.

Man kann die Heilung durch Ruhe beschleunigen.

One can accelerate healing through rest.

Indefinite pronoun 'man'.

Die Digitalisierung beschleunigt den Strukturwandel.

Digitalization accelerates structural change.

Complex abstract nouns.

Wir sollten die Verhandlungen deutlich beschleunigen.

We should significantly accelerate the negotiations.

Use of 'sollten' (subjunctive II) for a suggestion.

Ein Katalysator beschleunigt chemische Reaktionen.

A catalyst accelerates chemical reactions.

Scientific terminology.

Der Klimawandel beschleunigt das Artensterben.

Climate change accelerates the extinction of species.

Environmental context.

Die Expansion des Universums beschleunigt sich.

The expansion of the universe is accelerating.

Reflexive use 'beschleunigt sich'.

Das Unternehmen versucht, die Markteinführung zu beschleunigen.

The company is trying to accelerate the market launch.

Infinitive construction with 'zu'.

Die Krise hat die technologische Entwicklung beschleunigt.

The crisis has accelerated technological development.

Perfect tense with historical context.

Es ist notwendig, die bürokratischen Abläufe zu beschleunigen.

It is necessary to accelerate bureaucratic processes.

Impersonal 'Es ist notwendig'.

Die soziale Beschleunigung prägt unsere moderne Gesellschaft.

Social acceleration shapes our modern society.

Using the noun 'Beschleunigung' as a subject.

Künstliche Intelligenz wird die wissenschaftliche Erkenntnis beschleunigen.

Artificial intelligence will accelerate scientific discovery.

Future tense with 'wird'.

Die Globalisierung hat den Austausch von Informationen massiv beschleunigt.

Globalization has massively accelerated the exchange of information.

Adverb 'massiv' for emphasis.

Wir müssen Maßnahmen ergreifen, um den Prozess zu beschleunigen.

We must take measures to accelerate the process.

Final clause with 'um...zu'.

Der technologische Fortschritt beschleunigt den Lebensrhythmus.

Technological progress accelerates the rhythm of life.

Metaphorical noun 'Lebensrhythmus'.

In einem Teilchenbeschleuniger werden Protonen beschleunigt.

Protons are accelerated in a particle accelerator.

Passive voice in a technical context.

Die Verknappung der Ressourcen könnte die Inflation beschleunigen.

The scarcity of resources could accelerate inflation.

Modal verb 'könnte' for possibility.

Er versuchte, seine Schritte zu beschleunigen, um den Bus zu erreichen.

He tried to accelerate his steps to catch the bus.

Transitive use with 'seine Schritte'.

Die beschleunigte Expansion des Kosmos stellt die Physik vor Rätsel.

The accelerated expansion of the cosmos poses riddles for physics.

Participle 'beschleunigte' used as an adjective.

Hartmut Rosa analysiert die Beschleunigung als Phänomen der Spätmoderne.

Hartmut Rosa analyzes acceleration as a phenomenon of late modernity.

Academic reference.

Die Politik muss die Energiewende konsequent beschleunigen.

Politics must consistently accelerate the energy transition.

Adverb 'konsequent' for intensity.

Die Automatisierung beschleunigt die Erosion traditioneller Arbeitsmodelle.

Automation accelerates the erosion of traditional work models.

High-level abstract vocabulary.

Es gilt, die Integration Geflüchteter in den Arbeitsmarkt zu beschleunigen.

It is necessary to accelerate the integration of refugees into the labor market.

Fixed expression 'Es gilt, ... zu'.

Die Synergieeffekte beschleunigten das Wachstum des Start-ups.

The synergy effects accelerated the growth of the start-up.

Business jargon 'Synergieeffekte'.

Eine beschleunigte Abwicklung des Insolvenzverfahrens wurde beantragt.

An accelerated processing of the insolvency proceedings was requested.

Legal context with adjective 'beschleunigte'.

Die Entdeckung könnte die Entwicklung neuer Medikamente signifikant beschleunigen.

The discovery could significantly accelerate the development of new drugs.

Adverb 'signifikant' for precision.

Common Collocations

ein Verfahren beschleunigen

das Tempo beschleunigen

den Prozess beschleunigen

das Wachstum beschleunigen

den Herzschlag beschleunigen

die Produktion beschleunigen

den Schritt beschleunigen

die Entwicklung beschleunigen

die Heilung beschleunigen

auf 100 km/h beschleunigen

Common Phrases

den Gang beschleunigen

— To walk faster. Used when someone realizes they are late.

Er musste seinen Gang beschleunigen, um den Zug zu erwischen.

massiv beschleunigen

— To speed something up significantly. Common in news reports.

Die Krise hat den digitalen Wandel massiv beschleunigt.

künstlich beschleunigen

— To speed something up using unnatural means or interventions.

Man sollte das Wachstum von Pflanzen nicht künstlich beschleunigen.

unbeabsichtigt beschleunigen

— To speed something up by accident. Often used for negative trends.

Seine Worte haben den Streit nur unbeabsichtigt beschleunigt.

stetig beschleunigen

— To increase speed at a constant rate.

Die Geschwindigkeit des Objekts beschleunigt sich stetig.

die Gangart beschleunigen

— To increase the pace or intensity of an action, often metaphorically.

Die Polizei beschleunigte die Gangart bei den Ermittlungen.

den Rhythmus beschleunigen

— To speed up a beat or a repeated sequence of events.

Die Musik beschleunigte ihren Rhythmus zum Finale hin.

die Auszahlung beschleunigen

— To make sure money is paid out faster. Common in banking.

Wir versuchen, die Auszahlung Ihrer Versicherungssumme zu beschleunigen.

den Zerfall beschleunigen

— To make something rot or fall apart faster. Used for materials or empires.

Feuchtigkeit beschleunigt den Zerfall von Holz.

die Verhandlungen beschleunigen

— To make peace or business talks happen faster.

Beide Seiten wollen die Verhandlungen beschleunigen.

Often Confused With

beschleunigen vs sich beeilen

Use 'sich beeilen' for people in a rush. Use 'beschleunigen' for the speed of objects or processes.

beschleunigen vs bescheinigen

Means 'to certify' or 'to attest'. It sounds similar but has nothing to do with speed.

beschleunigen vs beilegen

Means 'to enclose' (like a document in an envelope) or 'to settle' a dispute.

Idioms & Expressions

"auf Touren kommen"

— To get up to speed or to start working effectively. Related to engine RPM.

Nach dem Kaffee komme ich langsam auf Touren.

informal

"einen Zahn zulegen"

— To speed up or work harder. Originally from adjusting gears.

Wir müssen einen Zahn zulegen, wenn wir heute fertig werden wollen.

informal

"Gas geben"

— To accelerate or to put in more effort.

Gib mal Gas, wir kommen zu spät!

colloquial

"an Fahrt gewinnen"

— To gain momentum or speed. Used for trends or projects.

Die Debatte gewinnt an Fahrt.

neutral

"in Schwung kommen"

— To get going or to start accelerating properly.

Die Party kommt langsam in Schwung.

informal

"den Turbo einschalten"

— To suddenly increase speed or effort significantly.

Im Endspurt hat er den Turbo eingeschaltet.

informal

"mit Vollgas"

— At full speed or with maximum effort.

Sie arbeitet mit Vollgas an ihrer Dissertation.

informal

"die Schlagzahl erhöhen"

— To increase the frequency or pace of work/actions.

Das Team musste die Schlagzahl erhöhen.

business

"überholen ohne einzuholen"

— A historical GDR slogan about economic acceleration that failed.

Das war wie 'überholen ohne einzuholen'.

historical/ironic

"aus der Kurve fliegen"

— To fail because one accelerated too much or lost control.

Wenn du so weitermachst, fliegst du aus der Kurve.

informal

Easily Confused

beschleunigen vs sich beeilen

Both relate to speed and doing things faster.

Beeilen is reflexive and refers to a person's state of urgency. Beschleunigen is transitive and refers to the physical increase in speed.

Ich beeile mich (I am in a hurry). Ich beschleunige das Auto (I speed up the car).

beschleunigen vs verstärken

Both mean to increase something.

Verstärken means to make something stronger or louder. Beschleunigen means to make something faster.

Wir verstärken den Ton. Wir beschleunigen den Prozess.

beschleunigen vs erhöhen

Both involve an upward change.

Erhöhen is for quantity, price, or height. Beschleunigen is for speed or rate.

Wir erhöhen die Preise. Wir beschleunigen die Produktion.

beschleunigen vs fortsetzen

Both relate to things moving forward.

Fortsetzen means to continue. Beschleunigen means to continue faster.

Wir setzen die Arbeit fort. Wir beschleunigen die Arbeit.

beschleunigen vs vorantreiben

Both imply making a project go faster.

Vorantreiben focuses on the progress toward a goal. Beschleunigen focuses on the rate of speed.

Wir treiben das Projekt voran. Wir beschleunigen den Arbeitsablauf.

Sentence Patterns

Das [Nomen] beschleunigt.

Das Auto beschleunigt.

Ich muss [Nomen] beschleunigen.

Ich muss die Arbeit beschleunigen.

Durch [Nomen] wird [Nomen] beschleunigt.

Durch Sport wird der Puls beschleunigt.

Es ist wichtig, [Nomen] zu beschleunigen.

Es ist wichtig, das Verfahren zu beschleunigen.

[Nomen] hat [Nomen] massiv beschleunigt.

Die Krise hat die Digitalisierung massiv beschleunigt.

Eine beschleunigte [Nomen] ist erforderlich.

Eine beschleunigte Abwicklung ist erforderlich.

Wir wollen [Nomen] beschleunigen.

Wir wollen den Prozess beschleunigen.

Können Sie [Nomen] beschleunigen?

Können Sie die Lieferung beschleunigen?

Word Family

Nouns

die Beschleunigung (acceleration)

der Beschleuniger (accelerator)

die Beschleunigungsphase (acceleration phase)

der Teilchenbeschleuniger (particle accelerator)

Verbs

beschleunigen (to accelerate)

entschleunigen (to decelerate/slow down life)

nachbeschleunigen (to accelerate further later)

Adjectives

beschleunigt (accelerated)

beschleunigend (accelerating)

beschleunigungsfähig (capable of acceleration)

schnell (fast)

die Geschwindigkeit (speed)

das Tempo (tempo/pace)

die Eile (hurry)

beeilen (to hurry)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in media, business, and technical contexts. Less common in very casual daily chat.

Common Mistakes

Using 'beschleunigen' for 'to hurry'. → sich beeilen
You cannot say 'Ich beschleunige' when you are late for school. You must say 'Ich beeile mich'.
Using 'sein' in the perfect tense. → haben
Even though it involves movement, 'beschleunigen' always takes 'haben'. 'Ich habe beschleunigt'.
Spelling it 'beschlunigen'. → beschleunigen
Don't forget the 'e' in the 'eu' diphthong.
Using 'zu' for speed targets. → auf
Say 'auf 100 km/h' instead of 'zu 100 km/h'.
Confusing it with 'bescheinigen'. → beschleunigen
'Bescheinigen' means to certify. They sound similar but are unrelated.

Tips

Always Transitive

Remember that you usually need an object. You accelerate *something*. If there is no object, the context must make it clear (like a car).

The 'be-' Prefix

Notice how 'be-' turns the adjective 'schnell' into a verb. This is a common pattern in German (e.g., ruhig -> beruhigen).

Driving Context

On the Autobahn, use 'beschleunigen' for the act of increasing speed, but 'Gas geben' when talking to your friends.

Watch the 'eu'

The 'eu' in 'beschleunigen' is often misspelled by learners. It sounds like 'oy' in 'boy'.

Professional Tone

Use this word in job interviews or meetings to describe how you can improve efficiency. It sounds much better than 'schneller arbeiten'.

Target Speed

Always use 'auf' when specifying the speed you are reaching. 'Auf 120 km/h beschleunigen'.

Self-Acceleration

Only use 'sich beschleunigen' for processes or developments, never for yourself as a person.

Global Trends

This is a great word for discussing globalization, digitalization, and climate change in exams.

Speedy Ben

Imagine 'Ben' is 'schnell'. Be-schnell-igen -> Beschleunigen.

News Keywords

When you hear 'Wachstum' or 'Verfahren' on the news, listen for 'beschleunigen' nearby.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'BE-SCHLEU-nigen'. 'SCHLEU' sounds like 'slow' but it's the opposite! You are 'be-ing' the opposite of 'slow'.

Visual Association

Imagine a foot stepping hard on a gas pedal in a BMW on the Autobahn. The needle on the speedometer jumps from 80 to 180.

Word Web

Auto Physik schnell Gas geben Prozess Zeit Wachstum Rakete

Challenge

Try to use 'beschleunigen' in three different contexts today: once for a vehicle, once for a work task, and once for a physical feeling.

Word Origin

The word is formed from the prefix 'be-', the adjective 'schnell' (fast), and the verbalizing suffix '-igen'. The 'eu' in the middle comes from an older form of the word 'schnell'.

Original meaning: To make something fast or to increase the speed of something.

Germanic (German).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it to tell people to work faster in a rude way; use 'Können wir das beschleunigen?' instead of 'Beschleunige!'

English speakers often use 'speed up' for everything. German is more specific; 'beschleunigen' sounds more technical/formal than 'schneller machen'.

Hartmut Rosa's book 'Beschleunigung' (Social Acceleration). The 'Teilchenbeschleuniger' (LHC) at CERN. Kraftwerk's music often deals with themes of speed and technology.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Automotive/Driving

auf der Autobahn beschleunigen
von 0 auf 100 beschleunigen
stark beschleunigen
sanft beschleunigen

Business/Projects

den Prozess beschleunigen
das Projekt beschleunigen
die Verhandlungen beschleunigen
die Markteinführung beschleunigen

Science/Physics

Teilchen beschleunigen
die Reaktion beschleunigen
beschleunigte Bewegung
Fallbeschleunigung

Health/Biology

den Herzschlag beschleunigen
den Stoffwechsel beschleunigen
die Heilung beschleunigen
das Wachstum beschleunigen

Society/Media

den sozialen Wandel beschleunigen
die Digitalisierung beschleunigen
den Preisanstieg beschleunigen
die Inflation beschleunigen

Conversation Starters

"Glaubst du, dass die Technologie unser Leben zu sehr beschleunigt?"

"Wie kann man das Lernen einer neuen Sprache am besten beschleunigen?"

"Sollte die Regierung den Bau von neuen Radwegen beschleunigen?"

"Welches Auto beschleunigt deiner Meinung nach am besten?"

"Hast du jemals versucht, deine Morgenroutine zu beschleunigen?"

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du den Prozess beschleunigen musstest. Was ist passiert?

Beschreibe, wie sich die Welt durch das Internet beschleunigt hat.

Was sind die Vor- und Nachteile, wenn man die Arbeit beschleunigt?

Denke an ein Ziel. Wie könntest du die Erreichung dieses Ziels beschleunigen?

Reflektiere über das Wort 'Entschleunigung'. Ist es das Gegenteil von 'Beschleunigen' in deinem Leben?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while it is very common for vehicles, it is used for any process, biological function, or scientific reaction that increases in speed. For example, you can accelerate a project or your pulse.

'Beschleunigen' is more formal and precise. 'Schneller machen' is colloquial and used in everyday situations. In a business report, you would always use 'beschleunigen'.

Usually, no. If you are in a rush, say 'Ich beeile mich'. You only use 'sich beschleunigen' for abstract things like 'Der Prozess beschleunigt sich'.

It is a weak verb. This means its forms are regular: beschleunigen, beschleunigte, hat beschleunigt.

It always uses 'haben'. Even though it involves movement, the focus is on the action of applying speed. Example: 'Ich habe beschleunigt'.

The direct opposite is 'verlangsamen' (to slow down) or 'bremsen' (to brake/slow down a vehicle).

It is a popular modern term in Germany meaning 'deceleration' or 'slowing down one's life' to reduce stress and find balance.

It is 'der Teilchenbeschleuniger', a compound noun made of 'Teilchen' (particle) and 'Beschleuniger' (accelerator).

Yes, if the tempo of a piece increases, you can say 'das Tempo beschleunigt sich'. However, musicians often use Italian terms like 'accelerando'.

Yes, you can say 'die Inflation beschleunigt den Preisanstieg' (inflation accelerates the rise in prices).