German Conversation · Level 83
59 words
German word
kriechen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈkʁiːçən/
Meaning
- verbcrawl
Example
Das Baby kriecht durch den Flur.
The baby is crawling through the hallway.
More examples
Die Schlange kriecht lautlos durch das Gras.
The baby crawls through the hallway.
Core concept
A baby or animal stays close to the ground while moving forward, and the same low posture suggests a person's submissive approach.
Common phrases
auf dem Boden kriechen
crawl on the floor
in die Höhle kriechen
crawl into the cave
durch den Schlamm kriechen
crawl through the mud
Similar words
schleichen: Move slowly and quietly to avoid being noticed.
krabbeln: Move forward on hands and knees across the floor.
robben: Move forward on the stomach while staying in contact with the ground.
Definition in German
Langsam und dicht am Boden vorwärtsgehen; übertragen: sich jemandem unterwürfig nähern.
Word origin
Kriechen is an inherited Germanic verb related to English creep, with its figurative sense developing from low physical movement to servile behavior.
Usage tips
- Kriechen is a strong verb: its simple past is kroch and its perfect uses sein, as in ist gekrochen.