schweben
Translation
to float, to hover, to be suspended, to be pending
Examples
Der Ballon schwebt am Himmel.
The balloon is floating in the sky.
Eine Gefahr schwebt über der Stadt.
A danger hovers over the city.
Er schwebt in großer Gefahr.
He is in great danger.
Grammar Patterns
((over sth.)) to float/hover over sth. The eagle hovers over the valley.
((in sth.)) to be in (danger) He is in mortal danger.
Similar Words
Synonyms: fliegen (to fly), treiben (to drift); Antonyms: sinken (to sink), fallen (to fall)
Etymology
Derived from Old High German 'sweben', meaning 'to move while swaying'. Cognate with the English word 'sway'.
Memory Tips
Picture a 'Schwebebahn' (suspension railway) 'hovering' or 'floating' over the city of Wuppertal.