German word

bannen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbanən/

Meaning

  • verbfascinate

Example

Der Film bannt das Publikum.

The film fascinates the audience.

Illustration for bannen (fascinate)

More examples

Ihre Stimme bannt die Zuhörer.

Her voice captivates the listeners.

Core concept

A powerful force holds a person's gaze and thoughts in place, as if attention cannot break away.

Common phrases

  • das Publikum bannen

    captivate the audience

  • jemanden bannen

    captivate someone

Similar words

begeistern: Fill someone with strong enthusiasm and passionate excitement.
faszinieren: Intrigue and attract someone through curiosity, surprise, or wonder.
fesseln: Hold someone's attention so completely that it stays riveted.
packen: Grip someone's interest or emotions with sudden force.

Definition in German

jemanden oder etwas so stark in seinen Bann ziehen, dass Aufmerksamkeit und Interesse nicht nachlassen

Word origin

Bannen descends from Old High German bannan and is related to Bann, a command or prohibition whose binding force developed into the sense of holding someone spellbound.

Usage tips

  • Bannen is transitive, so the person or thing affected normally appears in the accusative, as in 'Der Film bannt das Publikum.'

Other meanings

  • attractverb
  • absorbverb
  • enthrallverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Bannspellnoun
  • gebanntspellboundadjective
  • Gebanntheitcaptivationnoun

Word lists with this word