Verb

treiben

Translation

to do (sports), to float, to drift, to drive

Ich treibe gern Sport.

I like to do sports.

Das Boot treibt auf dem Wasser.

The boat is drifting on the water.

Der Wind treibt die Wolken vor sich her.

The wind is driving the clouds.

Was treibst du so?

What are you up to?

((sth.)) treiben to do/practice sth. I do sports.

auf+3 treiben to float on sth. The boat is floating on the water.

Synonyms: machen, betreiben (for sports); schwimmen, gleiten (for floating)

From Proto-Germanic *drībaną, which is related to the English word 'to drive'.

Link it to its English cognate 'drive'. You 'drive' a ball in sports (Sport treiben), and the current 'drives' a boat (treibt auf dem Wasser).