German word

zucken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsʊkən/

Meaning

  • verbtwitch

Example

Sein Auge zuckte.

His eye twitched.

Illustration for zucken (twitch)

More examples

Kurz vor dem Auftritt zuckte ihm das Augenlid.

His eyelid twitched right before the performance.

Core concept

An eyelid, finger, or shoulder makes a brief, sudden movement.

Common phrases

  • die Schultern zuckten

    The shoulders shrugged

  • das Augenlid zuckte

    The eyelid twitched

  • vor Schreck zucken

    flinch in fright

Similar words

zusammenzucken: A body part jerks suddenly in response to pain or surprise.
erschrecken: A person suddenly becomes afraid or startled by something unexpected.
zittern: A body or object makes small, repeated shaking movements.

Definition in German

Kurz und meist unwillkürlich einen Muskel oder Körperteil bewegen.

Word origin

Zucken comes from Middle High German zucken and is an expressive Germanic verb for a sudden, brief movement.

Usage tips

  • In the fixed phrase "mit den Schultern zucken," the verb means to shrug, often showing uncertainty or indifference.

Other meanings

  • convulseverb
  • jerkverb

Opposites

  • erstarrenstiffenverb
  • stillhaltenhold stillverb

Related words

  • das Zuckentwitchingnoun
  • die Zuckungspasmnoun

Word lists with this word