German word

strecken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃtʁɛkən/

Meaning

  • verbstretch

Example

Ich strecke den Arm aus.

I stretch my arm out.

Illustration for strecken (stretch)

More examples

Die Moderatorin streckt die Zeit, um Fragen vorzubereiten.

The presenter is stretching out the time to prepare questions.

Core concept

Something is extended from its original compact or short state, whether a limb is held out, an object is lengthened, or a drink is diluted.

Common phrases

  • die Geschichte strecken

    exaggerate the story

  • die Zeit strecken

    stretch out the time

  • eine Rede strecken

    draw out a speech

Similar words

ausstrecken: To stretch an arm or hand outward or upward toward a distant point.
dehnen: To gently stretch muscles to make them more flexible.
verlängern: To make an object or period of time longer than before.
ausdehnen: To expand a range or area to make it larger.

Definition in German

den Körper, einen Teil davon oder Gegenstände gerade oder länger machen; auch reflexiv sowie mit trennbaren Vorsilben (z.B. ausstrecken für das Vorstrecken)

Word origin

The verb comes through Middle High German strecken from Old High German strecchan and belongs to the inherited Germanic family related to English stretch.

Usage tips

  • The plain verb takes an object for physical extension, whereas sich strecken is reflexive and ausstrecken is separable, with aus moving to the end in a main clause.

Other meanings

  • hold outverb
  • lengthenverb
  • diluteverb

Opposites

Related words

  • streckenweiseintermittentlyadverb
  • gestrecktelongatedadjective

Word lists with this word