schwanken
Translation
to sway, to stagger, to fluctuate, to waver
Examples
Der Baum schwankt im Wind.
The tree is swaying in the wind.
Die Preise für Öl schwanken stark.
The prices for oil fluctuate strongly.
Er schwankte zwischen zwei Meinungen.
He wavered between two opinions.
Grammar Patterns
((intransitive)) to sway, to fluctuate The bridge is schwanken.
((zwischen+3)) to waver between... She is schwanken between two offers.
Similar Words
Synonyms: wackeln (to wobble), zittern (to tremble), zögern (to hesitate)
Etymology
Related to 'schwingen' (to swing). It describes both physical swaying and abstract fluctuation.
Memory Tips
Imagine a swan ('Schwan') swaying ('schwanken') on the water. The words sound similar.