German word

schieben

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃiːbən/

Meaning

  • verbpush

Example

Ich schiebe das Sofa an die Wand.

I'm pushing the sofa against the wall.

Illustration for schieben (push)

More examples

Er schiebt den Einkaufswagen durch den Supermarkt.

He pushes the shopping trolley through the supermarket.

Core concept

A person applies forward force to make something move, slide, or shift from where it was, whether the movement is physical or figurative.

Common phrases

  • schiebt den Einkaufswagen

    pushes the shopping trolley

  • schiebt das Sofa an die Wand

    pushes the sofa up against the wall

Similar words

drücken: Apply pressure to a button or object with a finger, hand, or palm.
ziehen: Move something closer by pulling a handle, rope, or similar object.

Definition in German

Mit der Hand oder einem Werkzeug Kraft ausüben, um etwas zu bewegen oder zu verschieben; oft physisch, aber auch in übertragener Bedeutung möglich.

Word origin

Schieben is a native Germanic verb rather than a later borrowing, with Old High German scīban as an early recorded form.

Usage tips

  • The related verb verschieben can mean moving something to another time or date, while aufschieben specifically means postponing it.

Other meanings

  • shiftverb
  • slideverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word