German Conversation · Level 100
59 words
German word
schweben
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈʃveːbən/
Meaning
- verbfloat
Example
Das Blatt schwebt auf dem Wasser.
The leaf is floating on the water.
More examples
Die Laterne schwebt im Wind.
The lantern floats in the wind.
Core concept
A leaf or balloon remains lightly suspended, neither sinking nor traveling decisively, while drifting with minimal motion.
Common phrases
im Wind schweben
float in the wind
am Himmel schweben
float in the sky
Similar words
fliegen: Travel through the air toward a distant or elevated place.
treiben: Be carried aimlessly along by water or wind.
hängen: Remain motionless while hanging from something.
gleiten: Glide quietly and smoothly with minimal friction.
Definition in German
Ohne direkten Kontakt leicht über dem Boden oder auf Wasser bleiben oder sich kaum bewegen
Word origin
The modern verb preserves the inherited Germanic stem recorded as Old High German swebēn and Middle High German sweben, with a related sense of floating or hovering.
Usage tips
- Schweben is normally intransitive, so the floating object is the subject; a caused action uses schweben lassen instead.