German word

biegen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbiːgən/

Meaning

  • verbturn

Example

Die Straße biegt nach links.

The road turns left.

Illustration for biegen (turn)

More examples

Sie biegt den Draht mit der Hand.

She bends the wire with her hand.

Core concept

A path or object bends away from its former alignment into a different direction or shape.

Common phrases

  • biegt an der Kreuzung nach rechts

    turn right at the crossroads

  • auf die Landstraße biegen

    turn onto the rural road

Similar words

abbiegen: Turn off a road onto another road or route.
einbiegen: Turn into a particular street, lane, or alley.
drehen: Rotate a body or object around its axis in place.
wenden: Change direction by turning around and going the opposite way.

Definition in German

die Richtung wechseln; transitiv etwas in eine gebogene Stellung bringen

Word origin

Biegen continues an old Germanic verb whose early form was Old High German bīgan, and German kept both its directional and physical meanings.

Usage tips

  • In 'Die Straße biegt nach links', the road is the subject, while 'Biegen Sie nach links ab' tells a traveler to turn.

Other meanings

  • bendverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Abbiegenturning offnoun
  • Biegungcurvenoun

Word lists with this word