German word

drängen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈdʁɛŋən/

Meaning

  • verbcrowd around

Example

Kinder drängten sich um den Tisch.

The children crowded around the table.

Illustration for drängen (crowd around)

More examples

Auf dem Markt drängten sich die Leute am Stand.

At the market, people crowded around the stall.

Core concept

A tight group presses toward one point, while pressure pushes a person toward action.

Common phrases

  • sich um etwas drängen

    crowd around ___

  • jemanden zu etwas drängen

    urge ___ to ___

  • in die Schlange drängen

    push into the queue

Similar words

drängeln: People squeeze into a queue while trying to cut in and move forward.
schieben: The use of hands or the body to force a person or object to move.
auffordern: A firm request for someone to take a particular action.
bitten: A polite request for someone to do something.

Definition in German

durch äußeren Druck zum Handeln bringen; reflexiv auch: sich aneinanderdrängen und Platz beanspruchen

Word origin

The verb comes from a Germanic root also seen in German dringen and developed meanings involving both physical pressure and pressure to act.

Usage tips

  • With a person as the object, drängen often means press or urge that person, while sich um etwas drängen describes crowding around it.

Other meanings

  • pushverb
  • urgeverb
  • jostleverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Andrangrushnoun
  • drängendpressingadjective
  • drängelnjostleverb

Word lists with this word