bahnen
Translation
to clear a path, to pave the way, to make one's way
Examples
Er bahnte sich einen Weg durch die Menge.
He cleared a path for himself through the crowd.
Die Erfindung bahnte den Weg für neue Technologien.
The invention paved the way for new technologies.
Grammar Patterns
sich(3) ((et4)) bahnen to clear a path (for oneself) Er bahnte sich einen Weg durch die Menge.
Similar Words
ebnen (to level), den Weg bereiten (to prepare the way)
Etymology
Derived from 'Bahn' (path, track, railway). It literally means 'to make a path'.
Memory Tips
Think of a train ('Bahn') clearing its 'path' or 'track'. The verb 'bahnen' is about creating such a path.