biegen
Translation
to bend, to turn, to curve
Examples
Er kann einen Löffel biegen.
He can bend a spoon.
Biegen Sie an der nächsten Straße rechts ab.
Turn right at the next street.
Der Ast biegt sich im Wind.
The branch is bending in the wind.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) biegen to bend sth. He is bending the wire.
((um+4)) biegen to turn (a corner, etc.). The car is turning the corner.
sich biegen to bend (itself). The tree is bending in the wind.
Similar Words
krümmen (to curve); Antonym: strecken (to straighten)
Etymology
From Old High German 'biegan', related to the English word 'bow'.
Memory Tips
Think of bending a 'bow' (der Bogen). The action is 'biegen'. Also, when a car turns a corner, its path is 'bending'.