German word

bangen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbaŋən/

Meaning

  • verbworry

Example

Ich bange um meine Freundin.

I worry about my girlfriend.

Illustration for bangen (worry)

More examples

Sie bangt um ihre Kinder.

She worries about her children.

Core concept

At a tense wait, the mind keeps returning to a person or outcome that may go badly.

Common phrases

  • bangen um den Job

    worry about the job

  • bangen um die Kinder

    worry about the children

  • bangen um ihre Gesundheit

    worry about her health

Similar words

sich Sorgen machen: Feel uneasy about an important person or event because something bad may happen.
befürchten: Fear that a particular event may really happen.
fürchten: Feel afraid of danger, injury, or other harm.
sich ängstigen: Feel anxious and unable to settle because of fear.

Definition in German

ängstlich an das Schlimmste denken und um das Wohl von jemandem oder etwas fürchten

Word origin

Bangen is an inherited Germanic verb documented as Old High German bangan and Middle High German bangen, originally expressing fear or anxiety.

Usage tips

  • The usual construction is um plus the accusative, as in um meine Freundin bangen, and the verb sounds more literary than everyday sich sorgen.

Other meanings

  • be anxiousverb
  • fearverb

Opposites

  • hoffenhopeverb
  • aufatmenbreathe a sigh of reliefverb

Related words

  • das Bangenworryingnoun
  • banganxiousadjective

Word lists with this word