German Conversation · Level 32
91 words
German word
sinken
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈzɪŋkən/
Meaning
- verbfall
Example
Im Winter sinken die Temperaturen oft.
In winter, temperatures often fall.
More examples
Bei Trockenheit sinken oft die Wasserstände.
During drought, water levels often drop.
Core concept
Something gradually drops from a higher position or level without an outside force being foregrounded.
Common phrases
Die Temperaturen sinken
Temperatures drop
Die Preise sinken
Prices drop
Der Wasserstand sinken
water level drops
Similar words
abnehmen: To grow smaller or less over time.
fallen: To drop from above to a lower position.
senken: To cause a value, level, or height to become lower deliberately.
Definition in German
Langsam nach unten gehen oder in Menge, Zahl oder Grad abnehmen; intransitives Verb.
Word origin
The German verb developed from the Germanic root found in Old High German sinkan, which also underlies English sink.
Usage tips
- Its principal forms are sinken, sank, and ist gesunken, so the perfect tense uses sein rather than haben.