neigen
Translation
to tend, to be inclined, to tilt, to lean
Examples
Er neigt zu Übertreibungen.
He tends to exaggerate.
Sie neigte den Kopf zur Seite.
She tilted her head to the side.
Der Turm neigt sich leicht nach links.
The tower leans slightly to the left.
Grammar Patterns
((zu+3)) to tend to sth. He tends to jealousy.
((et4)) to tilt sth. She tilted her head.
((sich)) to lean, to slope The tree leans in the wind.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to tend, to lean; Antonyms: (for 'to tend to') to avoid
Etymology
Derived from Old High German 'hneigan', meaning 'to approach' or 'to bow'. This root explains both the physical sense of leaning and the figurative sense of having a tendency.
Memory Tips
Picture a leaning tower ('neigt sich'). This physical image can help you remember the more abstract meaning of 'tending' or 'being inclined' toward an idea or action.