German word

gelangen

Pronunciation

IPA/gəˈlaŋən/

Meaning

  • verbget to

Example

Nach langem Suchen gelangten sie endlich zur Hütte.

After a long search, they finally got to the hut.

Illustration for gelangen (get to)

More examples

Nach dem Unfall gelangen alle Insassen schnell in Sicherheit.

After the accident, all the occupants quickly got to safety.

Core concept

A traveler follows a route until the destination or a desired outcome is finally within reach.

Common phrases

  • gelangen in Sicherheit

    get to safety

  • gelangen zum Ziel

    get to the goal

Similar words

ankommen: Arrive at a destination and be there.
erreichen: Reach a place or attain a goal successfully.
kommen: Move toward and arrive at a person or place.
eintreffen: Arrive at a scheduled place or at the expected time.

Definition in German

an einen Ort oder in einen Zustand kommen; ein Ziel oder Ergebnis erreichen

Word origin

German gelangen developed from Middle High German gelangen and is related to the older verb langen, meaning 'to reach'.

Usage tips

  • Gelangen commonly takes zu with the dative, as in zu einem Ziel or zu einer Entscheidung gelangen.

Other meanings

  • arriveverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word