German word

rasen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁaːzn̩/

Meaning

  • verbrace

Example

Das Auto rast die Straße entlang.

The car is racing down the street.

Illustration for rasen (race)

More examples

Nach der Nachricht rast mein Herz vor Freude.

After the news, my heart raced with joy.

Core concept

Something shoots ahead at reckless speed, and the same uncontrolled force can describe an emotional outburst.

Common phrases

  • Mein Herz rast

    My heart is racing

  • vor Begeisterung rasen

    go wild with excitement

Similar words

fahren: To get from one place to another using a car, bicycle, or similar vehicle.
rennen: To move rapidly on foot, as a person or animal.

Definition in German

mit hoher Geschwindigkeit und oft rücksichtslos fahren oder laufen; auch im übertragenen Sinn ‚in starker Erregung schnell handeln oder fühlen‘

Word origin

Rasen developed from an older German verb for raging wildly, so its meanings of extreme speed and furious excitement remain historically connected.

Usage tips

  • The verb rasen is written with a lowercase initial, whereas der Rasen means 'lawn' and is a separate masculine noun.

Other meanings

  • be furiousverb
  • go wildverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Raserspeed demonnoun
  • rasendfuriousadjective

Word lists with this word