German word

handeln

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhandl̩n/

Meaning

  • verbact

Example

Er handelt immer überlegt.

He always acts thoughtfully.

Illustration for handeln (act)

More examples

Wenn es brennt, muss man im Notfall handeln.

If there is a fire, you must act in an emergency.

Core concept

A person takes matters into their own hands, either by acting deliberately or by dealing in goods.

Common phrases

  • im Notfall handeln

    act in an emergency

  • bewusst handeln

    act consciously

Similar words

machen: Make something or carry out an activity.
tun: Do something in a general, everyday sense.
verhandeln: Discuss terms or prices to reach an agreement.
reagieren: Respond to an outside event or stimulus through action.

Definition in German

etwas tun; aus eigenem Entschluss aktiv werden

Word origin

Handeln comes from Middle High German handeln and is related to Hand, reflecting earlier senses of working or dealing with something by hand.

Usage tips

  • For trading, handeln mit takes mit plus the dative, as in mit Waren handeln.

Other meanings

  • tradeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word