Verb

schleifen

Translation

to grind, to sharpen, to drag, to demolish

Er schleift das Messer scharf.

He sharpens the knife.

Sie schleifte den schweren Koffer hinter sich her.

She dragged the heavy suitcase behind her.

Das alte Gebäude wurde geschleift.

The old building was demolished.

((sth.)) to sharpen/grind sth. Er schleift das Messer.

((sth.)) to drag sth. Sie schleifte den schweren Koffer.

Synonyms: wetzen (to whet), polieren (to polish), ziehen (to pull), abreißen (to demolish)

Two origins: one from Proto-Germanic for 'to slip' (leading to grind/polish), another for 'to drag' (leading to drag/demolish).

To distinguish: a precise 'cut' or 'polish' (schliff) is strong (strong verb). A long, drawn-out 'dragging' (schleifte) is weak (weak verb).