German word

drehen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈdʁeːən/

Meaning

  • verbturn

Example

Ich drehe den Schlüssel.

I turn the key.

Illustration for drehen (turn)

More examples

Kannst du den Knopf drehen?

Can you turn the knob?

Core concept

A hand turns a key around its axis, while the same rotary motion can describe a person spinning or a camera making a film.

Common phrases

  • den Schlüssel drehen

    turn the key

  • den Knopf drehen

    turn the knob

Similar words

sich drehen: To rotate the body or a body part around its axis.
umdrehen: To turn something or someone around to face the opposite direction.
aufdrehen: To turn a tap or knob so that water or gas can flow.
zudrehen: To turn a tap or knob so that water or gas stops flowing.

Definition in German

sich oder etwas um die eigene Achse bewegen; transitiv etwas drehen, reflexiv sich drehen; im übertragenen Sinn auch etwas herstellen (einen Film drehen)

Word origin

Drehen is an inherited Germanic verb that developed through Old High German drājan and Middle High German dræhen with the basic sense of turning.

Usage tips

  • With a direct object, etwas drehen means turn something, while sich drehen means turn or spin oneself and requires the reflexive pronoun.

Other meanings

  • spinverb
  • shootverb

Opposites

  • anhaltenstopverb
  • stillstehenstand stillverb

Related words

  • Drehungrotationnoun
  • drehbarrotatableadjective

Word lists with this word