German word

quellen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkvɛlən/

Meaning

  • verbwell up

Example

Aus dem Brunnen quillt klares Wasser.

Clear water is welling up from the well.

Illustration for quellen (well up)

More examples

Ihm quollen vor Freude die Tränen.

His tears welled up with joy.

Core concept

Liquid emerges under pressure from a hidden source or makes a porous thing grow larger from within.

Common phrases

  • aus dem Brunnen quellen

    well up from the well

  • aus der Leitung quellen

    well up from the pipe

  • vor Freude quellen

    well up with joy

Similar words

herausquellen: Liquid spills forcefully outward through a hole or gap.
hervorsprudeln: Liquid spurts out vigorously with bubbling foam.
ausströmen: Liquid streams continuously in one direction from a pipe or opening.
sickern: Liquid leaks gradually through small holes or narrow gaps.

Definition in German

als Flüssigkeit hervorströmen oder, übertragen, durch Flüssigkeitsaufnahme anschwellen

Word origin

The inherited Germanic verb quellen originally described bubbling or surging liquid, and German later extended it to materials that swell after absorbing liquid.

Usage tips

  • A source usually takes aus with the dative, while a material that swells commonly takes in with the dative, as in aus dem Brunnen and in Wasser.

Other meanings

  • become soggyverb
  • swellverb

Opposites

  • versiegendry upverb

Related words

  • Quellwasserspring waternoun
  • quellendwellingadjective

Word lists with this word