German word

kreisen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkʁaɪ̯zən/

Meaning

  • verbcircle

Example

Die Vögel kreisen über dem See.

The birds are circling over the lake.

Illustration for kreisen (circle)

More examples

Die Gedanken kreisen immer wieder um dieselbe Frage.

The thoughts keep circling around the same question again and again.

Core concept

A bird traces a repeated path around a center, while a thought can keep returning to the same subject.

Common phrases

  • um das Problem kreisen

    circle around the problem

  • kreisen über dem Stadion

    circle above the stadium

  • Gedanken kreisen um eine Frage

    Thoughts circle around a question

Similar words

umkreisen: To travel in an orbit around a particular object or target.
herumkreisen: To move around a center repeatedly in a loose, free pattern.
umschwirren: To dart rapidly around something in short, lively flights.
zirkulieren: To circulate through a wide area and reach different places.

Definition in German

sich um einen Punkt oder entlang eines Kreises bewegen; auch im übertragenen Sinn um ein Thema kreisen

Word origin

Kreisen is formed from the noun Kreis, meaning a circle, with the German verb ending -en.

Usage tips

  • In the figurative use, um takes the accusative, as in Die Diskussion kreist um dieses Thema.

Other meanings

  • orbitverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Kreisbahnorbitnoun
  • kreisförmigcircularadjective

Word lists with this word