schwemmen
Translation
to wash away, to sweep away, to float, to rinse
Examples
Der Regen schwemmte den Schmutz weg.
The rain washed the dirt away.
Das Hochwasser hat das Ufer weggeschwemmt.
The flood has washed away the bank.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.acc)) ((weg)) to wash sth. away The river washed the bridge away.
Similar Words
Synonyms: spülen (to rinse), waschen (to wash), forttragen (to carry away)
Etymology
It's the causative of 'schwimmen' (to swim), so it means 'to cause to swim/float'.
Memory Tips
Think of the power of water. It makes things 'swim' ('schwimmen') away, which is to 'schwemmen' them.