Kurbel
feminine
The English word 'crank' is translated into German as Kurbel.
The word Kurbel refers to a bent piece of an axle or a shaft, or an arm attached to the end of a shaft or wheel used to impart rotation.
Meaning: a bent piece of an axle or shaft, or an arm attached to the end of a shaft or wheel, used to impart a rotation (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the verb kurbeln describes the physical act of turning a crank, the separable verb ankurbeln is often used figuratively to mean 'to kickstart' or 'to stimulate' something, such as an economy or a process.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Kurbel is a feminine noun and is used with the definite article die (die Kurbel). The plural form of the noun is Kurbeln.
Did you know?
- The verb kurbeln is used colloquially to describe the fast and repetitive movement of a person's legs while cycling.
- When a German journalist talks about 'stimulating' a dying industry, they rarely use words like 'promote' or 'help', opting instead for the image of 'cranking up' the process with ankurbeln.
- The word Kurbel shares a historical root with the word kurven, which refers to 'curving' or 'winding'.
Examples in context
- Toms Auto hat Fenster zum Kurbeln.Tom's car has crank windows.This sentence shows an example of using Kurbel in the context of car windows.Tatoeba #6130130 by raggione, translation #6128258 by Hybrid
- Ich mahle meinen Kaffee von Hand – mit einer Kaffeemühle mit Kurbel.I grind my coffee by hand with a coffee grinder with a crank handle.This sentence shows how to use Kurbel when describing a coffee grinder.Tatoeba #917613 by Fingerhut, translation #3078170 by patgfisher
- Bitte überprüfen Sie die Kurbel des Fahrrads, sie könnte defekt sein.Please check the crank of the bicycle, it might be defective.
- Die Kurbel der alten Maschine ist verbogen.The crank of the old machine is bent.
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are in a workshop repairing an old machine.
- LukasKannst du mir die Kurbel geben?Can you give me the crank?
- SarahHier ist sie, aber sie sieht alt aus.Here it is, but it looks old.
- LukasKein Problem, sie funktioniert noch einwandfrei.No problem, it still works perfectly.
- SarahDann lass uns mit der Arbeit beginnen.Then let's start with the work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crank” translations and entries Kurbel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
