German word

schleifen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃlaɪ̯fən/

Meaning

  • verbsharpen

Example

Er schleift das Messer.

He is sharpening the knife.

Illustration for schleifen (sharpen)

More examples

Der Handwerker schleift die Klinge an einem Schleifstein.

The craftsman sharpens the blade on a grindstone.

Core concept

An abrasive surface gradually changes what touches it: it sharpens or smooths an edge and wears down anything dragged over it.

Common phrases

  • das Messer schleifen

    sharpen the knife

  • die Klinge schleifen

    sharpen the blade

Similar words

schärfen: Making a blade or edge sharper for better cutting.
feilen: Removing small amounts with a file to refine shape or angles.
raspeln: Removing relatively large amounts of material with a coarse tool.
polieren: Rubbing a surface with cloth or compound until it shines.

Definition in German

Durch Reibung eine Kante scharf machen oder Material abtragen; auch: etwas über eine Fläche ziehen, sodass es sich abnutzt.

Word origin

Middle High German slîfen developed into German schleifen as an inherited Germanic verb for rubbing, grinding, and pulling along a surface.

Usage tips

  • The participle is geschliffen for sharpening or polishing and geschleift for dragging.

Other meanings

  • polishverb
  • grindverb
  • dragverb

Opposites

  • abstumpfenbecome dullverb

Related words

  • Schleifergrindernoun
  • Schleifsteingrindstonenoun
  • geschliffenpolishedadjective

Word lists with this word