verb
to need
A1
brauchen: verb meaning 'to need'. Transitive: normally takes an accusative object (ich brauche dich). Not reflexive or a modal verb. Uses auxiliary haben in perfect tenses (ich habe gebraucht). Regular weak conjugation; Konjunktiv II irregularity: bräuchte (would need) shows vowel change in the subjunctive.
Examples
Die Firma brauchte mehr Mitarbeiter, weil die Produktion im letzten Quartal stark gestiegen war.
The company needed more employees because production had risen sharply in the last quarter.
Er brauchte mehr Zeit.
He needed more time.
Ich habe das nicht gebraucht.
I didn't need that.
Details
Mnemonics
visualize needing (brauchen) a tool from a toolbox
brauchen ~ 'browse' (not similar) — think 'I need to browse' as a reminder
Notes
Regular (weak) verb. Commonly used similarly to English 'need'.