bremsen
Translation
to brake, to slow down, to curb
Examples
Der Fahrer musste stark bremsen.
The driver had to brake hard.
Das bremst die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung.
That slows down economic development.
Grammar Patterns
to brake The driver brakes before the curve.
to slow down ((sth.)) The government is slowing down spending.
Similar Words
Synonyms: anhalten, verlangsamen; Antonyms: beschleunigen
Etymology
From Old High German 'bremsan' (to hum), possibly related to the sound of braking. Cognate with English 'brake'.
Memory Tips
Imagine pressing the 'brakes' on a car. The sound 'brrr' resembles the sound of braking.