lenken
Translation
to steer, to guide, to direct, to control
Examples
Er lenkt das Auto vorsichtig.
He steers the car carefully.
Sie lenkte das Gespräch auf ein anderes Thema.
She steered the conversation to another topic.
Er lenkte die Aufmerksamkeit auf das Problem.
He directed the attention to the problem.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) lenken to steer sth. He steers the car.
((et4)) ((auf+4)) lenken to direct sth. toward sth. She directed the conversation to another topic.
Similar Words
Synonyms: steuern, führen, leiten
Etymology
Comes from a Germanic root word that means 'to bend' or 'to make turn'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'lending' your direction to something, like a car or a conversation. 'Lend' -> 'Lenken'.