Verb

bilden

Translation

to form, to constitute, to educate, to create

Ein Regenbogen bildet einen Bogen am Himmel.

A rainbow forms an arc in the sky.

Diese Gruppe bildet ein starkes Team.

This group constitutes a strong team.

Gute Lektüre bildet den Geist.

Good reading educates the mind.

((sth.)) to form (sth.) The clouds form figures.

((sich.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to form (sth.) for oneself He is forming an opinion.

formen (to form), gestalten (to shape), erziehen (to educate)

Related to 'Bild' (picture, image). The core idea is 'to give form' or 'to create an image'.

Think of 'building' a shape or an idea. It's like creating a 'Bild' (picture) of something.