German word

Drang

Pronunciation

IPA/dʁaŋ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounurge

Example

Ich habe den Drang, jetzt sofort zu gehen.

I have the urge to leave right now.

Illustration for Drang (urge)

More examples

Sie verspürte einen Drang, sofort zu antworten.

She felt an urge to answer immediately.

Core concept

A force building inside someone until action feels difficult to resist.

Common phrases

  • einen Drang verspüren

    feel an urge

  • einen Drang unterdrücken

    suppress an urge

  • aus Drang handeln

    act on an urge

Similar words

Verlangen: A strong, lasting desire for something.
Wunsch: A wish or desire to obtain something.
Impuls: A sudden impulse that prompts immediate action.
Trieb: A natural, instinctive drive arising from the body or basic instincts.

Definition in German

Ein innerer Druck, der jemanden zum Handeln bewegt.

Word origin

Drang comes from Middle High German dranc and is related to the German verb dringen, whose sense of pressing or forcing supports the modern abstract meaning.

Usage tips

  • Drang is masculine, so the basic form is der Drang and the accusative form is den Drang.

Other meanings

  • desirenoun
  • cravingnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • drängenurgeverb
  • drängendurgentadjective

Word lists with this word