German word

tun

Pronunciation

IPA/tuːn/

Meaning

  • verbdo

Example

Was tust du jetzt?

What are you doing now?

Illustration for tun (do)

More examples

Ich möchte gern etwas für dich tun.

I would like to do something for you.

Core concept

An action moves from a person into the world and can leave an effect behind.

Common phrases

  • für jemanden etwas tun

    do something for someone

  • mir gut tun

    do me good

  • so tun als ob

    pretend

Similar words

machen: Make or carry out something using the hands or tools.

Definition in German

Ein Verb, das allgemein das Ausführen einer Handlung oder das Hervorrufen eines Zustands bezeichnet und häufig in festen Wendungen vorkommt.

Word origin

Tun is an inherited Germanic verb descended through Old High German tuon, and its broad sense supports both direct action and idiomatic effects.

Usage tips

  • In fixed expressions such as Das tut weh, tun corresponds to English hurt rather than to the usual translation do.

Other meanings

  • actverb

Related words

Word lists with this word