verkrampfen
Translation
to cramp, to tense up, to become convulsive
Examples
Meine Muskeln verkrampfen nach dem Sport.
My muscles cramp after sports.
Er verkrampfte sich bei der Prüfung vor Angst.
He tensed up with fear during the exam.
Grammar Patterns
sichAkk verkrampfen to tense up He tensed up in pain.
sth. verkrampft sth. cramps His leg suddenly cramped.
Similar Words
Synonyms: sich verspannen (to tense up), sich zusammenziehen (to contract); Antonyms: sich entspannen (to relax), lockern (to loosen)
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating a process or change, often for the worse) + 'Krampf' (cramp). To get into a state of cramp.
Memory Tips
Imagine a 'Krampf' (cramp) taking over your body, causing it to 'verkrampfen'. The 'ver-' prefix shows the process of getting into that state.