German word

rufen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁuːfən/

Meaning

  • verbcall

Example

Die Mutter ruft das Kind.

The mother is calling the child.

Illustration for rufen (call)

More examples

Der Trainer ruft die Spieler zusammen.

The coach calls the players together.

Core concept

A voice travels toward a person, drawing that person closer or making the caller's presence known.

Common phrases

  • nach jemandem rufen

    call for someone

  • den Namen rufen

    call out the name

  • zum Essen rufen

    call to dinner

Similar words

anrufen: Contact someone by phone to start a conversation.
zurufen: Call briefly to someone who is at a distance.
schreien: Shout loudly, often to express urgency or strong emotion.

Definition in German

laut seinen Namen oder ein Signal rufen, damit jemand zu einem kommt oder aufmerksam wird

Word origin

German rufen continues Old High German ruofan and comes from an inherited Germanic verb related to Dutch roepen and English roup, an archaic word for calling out.

Usage tips

  • The separable verb anrufen usually means to call by phone, so Ich rufe dich an differs from Ich rufe dich, which does not specify a phone call.

Other meanings

  • shoutverb
  • summonverb

Related words

  • das Rufencallingnoun
  • anrufenphoneverb

Word lists with this word