German word

eilen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɪ̯lən/

Meaning

  • verbhurry

Example

Ich eile zur Arbeit.

I'm hurrying to work.

Illustration for eilen (hurry)

More examples

Er eilt nach Hause.

I hurry to work.

Core concept

A time-sensitive matter presses people to move quickly or respond without delay.

Common phrases

  • Es eilt

    It's urgent

  • zur Hilfe eilen

    rush to help

  • nach Hause eilen

    hurry home

Similar words

sich beeilen: Act faster to stay on schedule.
eilig haben: Feel pressed for time because something needs doing soon.
hetzen: Rush about frantically with little time to spare.

Definition in German

schnell handeln oder sich rasch fortbewegen, damit eine Frist oder Verabredung eingehalten wird; oft in Wendungen wie ‚zu Hilfe eilen‘ oder der unpersönlichen Form ‚es eilt‘

Word origin

German eilen is an inherited Germanic verb recorded as Old High German īlōn and later Middle High German îlen, alongside Eile.

Usage tips

  • Es eilt means that a matter is urgent or time is short, not necessarily that someone is literally moving.

Other meanings

  • rush oververb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word