graben
Translation
to dig, to excavate, to engrave
Examples
Der Hund gräbt ein Loch.
The dog is digging a hole.
Sie graben nach Wasser.
They are digging for water.
Er gräbt seinen Namen in die Rinde.
He is engraving his name into the bark.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to dig (sth.) The gardener is digging a hole for the tree.
nach+3 graben to dig for (sth.) The archaeologists are digging for ancient ruins.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ausheben (to dig out), schaufeln (to shovel); Antonym: zuschütten (to fill in)
Etymology
From Old High German 'graban', meaning 'to dig'. It shares a root with the English word 'grave'.
Memory Tips
Think of digging a 'grave' to remember 'graben'.