German word

beugen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbɔʏ̯gn̩/

Meaning

  • verbbend

Example

Ich beuge das Knie.

I bend my knee.

Illustration for beugen (bend)

More examples

Die Ingenieure beugen das Metall, um ein Bauteil herzustellen.

The engineers bend the metal in order to produce a component.

Core concept

Something firm is pressed into a curve, or a person lowers resistance before an opposing demand.

Common phrases

  • den Kopf beugen

    bow one's head

  • sich über das Problem beugen

    work intensively on the problem

  • eine Regel beugen

    bend a rule

Similar words

verbeugen: To bow forward at the waist as a sign of respect.
bücken: To bend forward and lower the upper body.
biegen: To bend an object into a new angle or curve.
verbiegen: To bend an object out of shape so it does not return.

Definition in German

Etwas oder ein Körperteil durch Biegen in eine gebogene Lage bringen; übertragen: einer Forderung oder einem Druck nachgeben.

Word origin

The German verb beugen developed within the Germanic word family of biegen, and the idea of physical bending broadened to include submission.

Usage tips

  • Beugen usually takes a direct object for a body part or object, as in das Knie beugen; sich beugen is used when the subject bends or submits itself.

Other meanings

  • bend downverb
  • submitverb

Opposites

Related words

  • verbeugenbowverb
  • Verbeugungbownoun

Word lists with this word