Translation of German word "ziehen" to English
ziehen
/tsiːən/
Meaning
VerbTo apply a force to (an object) so that it comes toward the person or thing applying the force.
How to use
The strong verb ziehen ('to pull / drag / draw / move house') has a vital auxiliary grammar distinction: (1) When used transitively meaning 'to pull / draw', it takes haben as auxiliary (Er hat die Tür gezogen — He pulled the door). (2) When used intransitively meaning 'to move / migrate / travel', it takes sein as auxiliary (Ich bin nach Hamburg gezogen — I moved to Hamburg). Conjugation: zieht, zog, hat/ist gezogen.
🇬🇧 English
to pull
Example
Wenn ich das Zeichen gebe, zieh am Seil.
When I give the signal, pull the rope.
Ziehen Sie Ihren Gürtel fest, bevor Sie losfahren, ja?
Tighten your belt before you set off, okay?
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- Aufmerksamkeit auf sich ziehen— to draw attention to oneself (requires reflexive accusative)
- Schlüsse ziehen— to draw conclusions / infer
- in eine Wohnung ziehen— to move into an apartment / flat (accusative direction, auxiliary 'sein')
More Core Verbs words
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "ziehen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin/habe gezogen
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #285 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "ziehen"?▼
The German word "ziehen" is defined as: "To apply a force to (an object) so that it comes toward the person or thing applying the force."
What does the German word "ziehen" mean?▼
The German word "ziehen" means "to pull" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "ziehen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "ziehen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "ziehen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Wenn ich das Zeichen gebe, zieh am Seil." (which translates as "When I give the signal, pull the rope.").
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