rücken
Translation
to move, to shift, to bring closer, to advance
Examples
Er rückte den Stuhl näher.
He moved the chair closer.
Die Soldaten rückten ins Feld.
The soldiers advanced into the field.
Die Deadline rückte immer näher.
The deadline moved ever closer.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((direction)) to move sth. somewhere Er rückte den Stuhl an den Tisch.
to move closer näher rücken Die Stadt rückt näher.
Similar Words
Synonyms: bewegen (to move), schieben (to push); Antonyms: stehen bleiben (to stand still)
Etymology
Related to 'Rücken' (back). The original sense might have been 'to push with one's back'.
Memory Tips
Imagine using your 'Rücken' (back) to 'rücken' (move) a heavy piece of furniture.