neigen
Translation
to tend, to be inclined, to tilt, to lean
Examples
Er neigt zu Übertreibungen.
He tends to exaggerate.
Sie neigte den Kopf zur Seite.
She tilted her head to the side.
Der Turm neigt sich leicht nach links.
The tower leans slightly to the left.
Grammar Patterns
((zu+3)) to tend to sth. He tends to jealousy.
((et4)) to tilt sth. She tilted her head.
((sich)) to lean, to slope The tree leans in the wind.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to tend, to lean; Antonyms: (for 'to tend to') to avoid
Etymology
From Old High German 'hneigan' (to approach, bow). It carries the dual meaning of physical tilting and a metaphorical inclination towards something.
Memory Tips
Imagine someone physically 'neigen' (tilting) their head towards something they have a 'Neigung' (inclination) for. This links the physical and abstract meanings.