German word

wenden

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɛndn̩/

Meaning

  • verbturn to

Example

Ich wende mich an meinen Lehrer.

I turn to my teacher.

Illustration for wenden (turn to)

More examples

Bei Problemen mit dem Gerät kannst du dich an den Kundendienst wenden.

If you have problems with the device, you can turn to customer service.

Core concept

A person or object changes its facing direction toward a new side, target, or course.

Common phrases

  • sich an jemanden wenden

    turn to someone

  • sich an den Kundendienst wenden

    turn to customer service

  • sich an die Firma wenden

    turn to the company

Similar words

fragen: Ask someone a question to learn something.
bitten: Politely ask someone for help, permission, or something needed.
anrufen: Phone someone directly to make contact.
sich erkundigen: Seek information from a person or institution about a specific matter.

Definition in German

sich an jemanden wenden heißt, gezielt jemanden anzusprechen, weil man Rat, Hilfe oder Auskünfte benötigt.

Word origin

Wenden is an inherited Germanic verb, cognate with English wend, whose older turning sense extends to changing direction and directing oneself toward a person.

Usage tips

  • In sich an jemanden wenden, an governs the accusative: sich an den Lehrer wenden, not sich an dem Lehrer wenden.

Other meanings

  • turn towardverb
  • turn oververb
  • turn aroundverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Wendungturningnoun
  • umwendenturn aroundverb
  • wendbarreversibleadjective

Word lists with this word