kehren
Translation
to sweep, to turn, to turn over
Examples
Ich muss den Boden kehren.
I have to sweep the floor.
Er kehrte auf dem Absatz.
He turned on his heel.
Sie kehrte dem Lärm den Rücken.
She turned her back on the noise.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to sweep (sth.) Sie kehrt die Straße.
((sb.)) one's back ((on sth.)) to turn one's back on (sb./sth.) Er kehrte dem Problem den Rücken zu.
Similar Words
Synonyms: fegen (to sweep), wenden (to turn); Antonyms: bleiben (to stay)
Etymology
Derived from Old High German 'kēren,' meaning 'to turn' or 'bend.' This core idea of a turning motion applies to both sweeping with a broom and changing one's direction.
Memory Tips
Picture 'careening' around a corner to remember the 'turn' meaning, and think of the turning motion of a street sweeper for the 'sweep' meaning.