spinnen
Translation
to spin, to be crazy, to talk nonsense, to be nuts
Examples
Die Spinne spinnt ein Netz.
The spider is spinning a web.
Du spinnst wohl!
You must be crazy!
Früher haben die Frauen Wolle gesponnen.
In the past, women spun wool.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to spin sth. The grandmother spins wool.
(colloquial) to be crazy He is totally crazy.
Similar Words
Synonyms: weben (to weave), verrückt sein (to be crazy)
Etymology
From Old High German 'spinnan', related to the English word 'spin'. The colloquial meaning 'to be crazy' evokes the image of one's thoughts spinning uncontrollably.
Memory Tips
Connect it to the English word 'spin'. A spider 'spins' a web, and a crazy person's mind is 'spinning'.