Word Frequency (Worthäufigkeit) #10
Word (Wort)

um

Translation (Übersetzung) around, at, to, for
Pronunciation (Aussprache) [ʊm]
A1
Preposition/Adverb/Prefix
Beginner
Neutral
Tags (Tags)
preposition adverb time location common A1 prefix
"Um" is a versatile word in German that functions primarily as a preposition, adverb, and separable verb prefix. As a preposition, it typically requires the accusative case and indicates time (at) or location (around). As an adverb, it means "around" or "about." It's also commonly used as a separable prefix in verbs like "umziehen" (to move).

um - German Preposition/Adverb/Prefix - um Meaning - um Translation - um Preposition/Adverb/Prefix Examples

um is a German Preposition/Adverb/Prefix

Learn um meaning, translation, pronunciation, and usage examples. um is classified as a Preposition/Adverb/Prefix in German grammar.

um Examples (Beispiele) in English

um examples with English translations. See how to use um in sentences. um example sentences in English below.

Das Restaurant ist um die Ecke.
The restaurant is around the corner.
Location
Der Zug fährt um 8 Uhr ab.
The train departs at 8 o'clock.
Time
Sie kämpft um ihren Traumjob.
She is fighting for her dream job.
Purpose/reason

um Examples (Beispiele) in English

um examples with English translations. See how to use um in sentences. um example sentences in English below.

Er drehte sich um und ging.
He turned around and left.
Direction/movement
Das kostet um die 20 Euro.
That costs about 20 euros.
Approximation
Die Kinder liefen im Kreis um.
The children ran around in a circle.
Circular motion

um Examples (Beispiele) in English

um examples with English translations. See how to use um in sentences. um example sentences in English below.

Wir müssen nächsten Monat umziehen.
We have to move next month.
Separable verb
Kannst du das Bild umhängen?
Can you rehang the picture?
Separable verb
Er hat den Plan umgestellt.
He changed the plan.
Separable verb

um — common mistakes (English)

Learner-focused corrections for um — typical errors vs. correct German, with short explanations.

  • Ich komme um 10 Uhr an dem Bahnhof.
    Ich komme um 10 Uhr am Bahnhof an.
    "Um" is used for time, not location. Use "am" for location with dative case.
  • Wir treffen uns um dem Park.
    Wir treffen uns um den Park.
    "Um" as a preposition requires accusative case, not dative.
  • Er fragt um Hilfe.
    Er bittet um Hilfe.
    The correct verb with "um" for requesting is "bitten" (to ask for), not "fragen" (to ask).

um Word Family - um Related Words - um Family Members

um Word Family (Wortfamilie)

um word family includes related words, derivatives, and word forms. Learn um family members with meanings, translations, and usage. Explore um related words and expand your German vocabulary.

Semantically Related Words (Semantisch verwandte Wörter)
umziehen
Meaning: to move (residence)
Verb
umdrehen
Meaning: to turn around
Verb
umstellen
Meaning: to change, rearrange
Verb
Umlauf
Meaning: circulation, orbit
Noun
Umwelt
Meaning: environment
Noun

um Usage - um Collocations - um Idioms - um Synonyms - um Antonyms

um Usage & Related Words (Verwendung & verwandte Wörter)

Learn how to use um in context. Discover um collocations (common word combinations), idioms, synonyms, and antonyms. Master um usage patterns and expand your German vocabulary with related words.

um Collocations (Kollokationen)

um collocations are common word combinations that native speakers use. Learn um word combinations and how to use um with other words naturally.

um die Ecke
around the corner
High frequency
um Mitternacht
at midnight
High frequency
um Hilfe bitten
to ask for help
High frequency
um 10 Uhr
at 10 o'clock
High frequency
um den Tisch
around the table
Medium frequency
um etwas kämpfen
to fight for something
Medium frequency
um die Welt
around the world
Medium frequency
um etwas bitten
to request something
Medium frequency

um Idioms (Redewendungen)

um idioms and expressions. Learn German idioms containing um with meanings and explanations. Master um expressions used in everyday German.

um den heißen Brei herumreden
to beat around the bush
To avoid talking directly about an issue
um ein Haar
by a hair's breadth
Very narrowly, almost
um Himmels willen
for heaven's sake
An exclamation of surprise or frustration
um jeden Preis
at any cost
No matter what it takes
um die Wette
in competition
To compete against each other

um Synonyms (Synonyme)

um synonyms - words with similar meanings. Find alternative words for um and expand your German vocabulary. Learn um similar words and their usage.

herum
Meaning: around
High similarity
gegen
Meaning: around, about
Medium similarity
wegen
Meaning: because of, for
Low similarity
an
Meaning: at
Low similarity

um Antonyms (Antonyme)

um antonyms - opposite words. Learn words with opposite meanings to um. Discover um opposite words and expand your German vocabulary.

von
Meaning: from
direkt
Meaning: directly
pünktlich
Meaning: on time

um Semantically Related Words - um Contextually Related Words - um Thematically Related Words

um Semantically Related Words (Semantisch verwandte Wörter)

um semantically related words - words that are conceptually or thematically related to um. Explore um related vocabulary and discover words in the same semantic field. Learn um contextually related words to expand your German vocabulary.

herum rund gegen wegen an über

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