German word

verdrängen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈdʁɛŋən/

Meaning

  • verbpush aside

Example

Die neuen Läden verdrängen die kleinen Geschäfte.

The new shops are pushing aside the small businesses.

Illustration for verdrängen (push aside)

More examples

Viele Menschen verdrängen unerwünschte Erinnerungen.

Many people repress unwanted memories.

Core concept

A newcomer takes the space or position held by someone or something else, leaving the former occupant at the margin.

Common phrases

  • den Markt verdrängen

    displace the market

  • kleine Geschäfte verdrängen

    drive out small businesses

  • unerwünschte Erinnerungen verdrängen

    repress unwanted memories

Similar words

ersetzen: Replace one thing with another.
zurückdrängen: Drive someone or something back by force or momentum.
ausdrängen: Drive someone or something out of a place.
unterdrücken: Suppress feelings or thoughts to keep them from coming out.

Definition in German

jemanden oder etwas durch Druck oder Konkurrenz aus einer Position entfernen oder an den Rand drängen

Word origin

The verb combines inseparable ver- with drängen, an inherited Germanic verb related to pressing and urging, and develops from physical pressure to displacement.

Usage tips

  • Verdrängen has an inseparable ver- prefix, so it stays together in main clauses and forms the perfect with hat: "hat verdrängt."

Other meanings

  • drive outverb
  • replaceverb
  • suppressverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Verdrängungdisplacementnoun
  • verdrängtdisplacedadjective

Word lists with this word