Verb

kehren

to sweep, to turn

Er kehrt den Boden jeden Samstag.

He sweeps the floor every Saturday.

Sie kehrt dem Lärm den Rücken.

She turns her back on the noise.

((et4)) to sweep (sth.) Er kehrt den Boden.

((j-m/et3)) den Rücken kehren to turn one's back on (sb./sth.) Sie kehrt dem Problem den Rücken.

Synonyms: fegen (to sweep), wenden (to turn).

From Old High German 'kēren' (to turn). The sense of 'sweeping' comes from the turning motion of a broom.

Imagine making a U-turn with a broom to sweep everything up. Or taking 'care' when sweeping.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.