German word

hauen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaʊ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verbhit

Example

Er haut ihn.

He hits him.

Illustration for hauen (hit)

More examples

Der Mann haut wild um sich.

The man is hitting out wildly at everyone around him.

Core concept

A forceful swing of the arm delivers a sharp blow, while the same force extends into colloquial fixed expressions.

Common phrases

  • auf den Kopf hauen

    hit on the head

  • um sich hauen

    hit out at everyone around one

Similar words

schlagen: To hit a person or thing firmly with a hand, stick, or similar object.
treffen: To hit the intended person or place with an attack or thrown object.
treten: To use the foot to hit or forcefully push someone or something.
verprügeln: To attack someone with repeated blows and leave them badly beaten.

Definition in German

körperlich mit Gewalt zuschlagen; in festen Wendungen auch umgangssprachliche Bedeutungen annehmen

Word origin

Hauen comes from Old High German houwan and is related to English hew, from a Germanic verb meaning to cut or strike.

Usage tips

  • The person struck normally appears in the accusative, as in jemanden hauen, while a body part can occur in phrases such as jemandem auf den Kopf hauen.

Other meanings

  • punchverb

Opposites

  • streichelnpetverb

Related words

  • Hauereimeleenoun

Word lists with this word