German word

mären

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmɛːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbtell stories

Example

Am Abend setzen sich die Dorfbewohner ans Feuer, um zusammen zu mären.

In the evening, the villagers sit down by the fire to tell stories together.

Illustration for mären (tell stories)

More examples

Am Lagerfeuer mären die Großeltern oft von ihrer Kindheit.

The grandparents often tell stories about their childhood around the campfire.

Core concept

An elder recounts remembered events and legends while listeners preserve the account for the next generation.

Common phrases

  • am Lagerfeuer mären

    tell stories around the campfire

  • von alten Zeiten mären

    tell stories about old times

Similar words

erzählen: Narrate events or stories in a clear, orderly sequence.
mitteilen: Convey information or news to another person.
berichten: Report events or circumstances based on facts.
schildern: Describe a scene or situation with precise detail.

Definition in German

mündlich über alte Begebenheiten oder überlieferte Geschichten berichten.

Word origin

Mären derives from the German noun Märe, whose Middle High German ancestor referred to a tale or traditional account.

Usage tips

  • For neutral modern usage, erzählen is the usual choice; mären mainly appears in literary, historical, or folkloric contexts.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word