German word

zwingen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsvɪŋən/

Meaning

  • verbforce

Example

Der Lehrer zwingt die Schüler, leise zu sein.

The teacher forces the students to be quiet.

Illustration for zwingen (force)

More examples

Sie wurden gezwungen, ihre Daten preiszugeben.

They were forced to disclose their data.

Core concept

A hand closes around a person's choice until another action follows.

Common phrases

  • sich zwingen, etwas zu tun

    force oneself to do ___

  • jemanden zur Aufgabe zwingen

    force someone to surrender

  • jemanden zum Mitmachen zwingen

    force someone to participate

Similar words

bitten: Ask someone politely to do something.
überreden: Get someone to act by changing their feelings through persuasion.
überzeugen: Change someone's belief through reasons or clear explanation.
nötigen: Make someone do something unwillingly by using coercive pressure.

Definition in German

Jemanden gegen seinen Willen dazu bringen, etwas zu tun.

Word origin

German zwingen continues Old High German zwingan and shares its Germanic root with Zwang, both referring historically to pressing or constraining.

Usage tips

  • The usual construction is jemanden zwingen, etwas zu tun, with the person in the accusative and the second verb in the zu-infinitive.

Other meanings

  • compelverb
  • obligeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word