runtergehen
The English phrase 'get down' is expressed in German as runtergehen.
runtergehen is used to describe the physical act of moving from a higher position to a lower one. Other specific terms exist depending on the context: Absteigen is the appropriate term when someone needs to physically get off something like a horse, a bike or a high stool. In certain situations, herunterkommen and hinunterkommen can be used interchangeably.
What does it mean word for word?
The word runter is a colloquial shortening of herunter, which literally means 'down' (towards the speaker).
Which one should you use?
While runtergehen implies the physical act of walking or moving down, runterkommen is often used if the person speaking is already at the lower position and wants the other person to come down to them. Additionally, in very casual speech, runter can be used alone as an imperative to mean 'get down!' (for example, if someone is standing on a table).
How does it change in a sentence?
runtergehen is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix runter will move to the end of the sentence, such as in Ich gehe jetzt runter (I am going down now).
Did you know?
- While English uses 'get down' for dancing, German uses the phrase den dancefloor rocken or simply tanzen, as runtergehen would be interpreted as literally leaving the dance floor.
- In German, if you are talking about a price decreasing, you use the verb runtergehen to describe the cost 'going down'.
- The distinction between herunter and hinunter depends on the speaker's location: herunter implies movement towards the speaker and hinunter implies movement away from them.
Examples in context
- Herr Müller, bitte begeben Sie sich hinunter.Mr. Müller, please get down.
- Du musst schnell runtergehen.You have to get down quickly.
- Kannst du bitte langsam runtergehen?Can you please get down slowly?
- Wir können jetzt zusammen runtergehen.We can get down together now.
Example conversation
Laura sees Lukas standing on a ladder.
- LauraLukas, bitte geh jetzt langsam runtergehen!Lukas, please get down slowly now!
- LukasIch bin gleich fertig, Laura.I'm almost finished, Laura.
- LauraEs ist zu gefährlich dort oben.It is too dangerous up there.
- LukasOkay, ich werde sofort runtergehen.Okay, I will get down immediately.
