German word

rammen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁamən/

Meaning

  • verbram

Example

Der Pfosten wurde vom Fahrer gerammt.

The post was rammed by the driver.

Illustration for rammen (ram)

More examples

Das Wildschwein rammte das Fahrrad.

The wild boar rammed the bicycle.

Core concept

A heavy object strikes another object head-on and pushes into it rather than merely touching or brushing past it.

Common phrases

  • gegen eine Mauer rammen

    ram into a wall

  • mit Absicht rammen

    ram deliberately

Similar words

stoßen: Forcefully collide with and push a person or object.
anstoßen: Make light contact by bumping against something or someone.
schubsen: Push someone hard with an arm or hand, making them lose balance.
anfahren: Hit a person or object with a vehicle.

Definition in German

Gewaltsam und schnell gegen etwas stoßen, oft mit dem Ziel, es zu durchbrechen oder hineinzudrücken; transitiv.

Word origin

The forceful verb rammen developed within German's word family for battering and pile-driving tools, including Ramme and Rammbock.

Usage tips

  • Rammen usually suggests a hard impact and possible damage, whereas stoßen can describe a much broader and less forceful kind of contact.

Other meanings

  • charge intoverb
  • collide withverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Rammepile drivernoun
  • gerammtrammedadjective

Word lists with this word