German word

neigen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnaɪ̯gn̩/

Meaning

  • verbtend

Example

Ich neige dazu, zu spät zu kommen.

I tend to be late.

Illustration for neigen (tend)

More examples

In Konflikten neigt er dazu, Kompromisse zu suchen.

In conflicts, he tends to seek compromises.

Core concept

A head or body tilts slightly to one side, and a person's judgment can tilt toward one choice.

Common phrases

  • zu Kompromissen neigen

    tend toward compromise

Similar words

tendieren: Show a tendency to develop in a particular direction or toward a particular result.
schwanken: Shift between different feelings or opinions without settling.

Definition in German

eine Neigung zu etwas haben; im physischen Sinn Kopf oder Oberkörper leicht geneigt halten

Word origin

Neigen is an inherited Germanic verb related to an older root meaning to bend or lean, with the figurative sense of having a tendency developing later.

Usage tips

  • The figurative construction is neigen zu + dative, while dazu neigen, followed by an infinitive clause, is common in sentences such as the example.

Other meanings

  • leanverb
  • bowverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Abneigungaversionnoun
  • geneigtinclinedadjective

Word lists with this word