üben
/ˈyːbən/
To practise in German is üben.
The verb is used to describe repeating an activity to improve a skill. You typically üben a specific skill or instrument directly as the object of the verb, such as etwas üben (to practise something).
Meaning: to repeat an activity as a way of improving one's skill (verb)
Which one should you use?
While üben refers to practicing a skill, the separable verb ausüben is used when you are exercising a profession or a specific influence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third person singular present form is übt. The simple past form is übte, and the past participle is geübt.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈyːbən/
Did you know?
- The word üben was shaped by analogy to the spatial pair unter and unten, mirroring how ober became oben.
- The German equivalent of 'practice makes perfect' is Übung macht den Meister, which literally means 'practice makes the master'.
- In German, the word Übung (the noun for practice) is used not only for drilling a skill but also to describe a specific exercise in a textbook.
Examples in context
- Du musst mehr üben.You should practise more.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone should practise more using the form üben.Tatoeba #657089 by samueldora, translation #11975789 by sundown
- Tom muss mehr üben.Tom needs to practise more.This sentence is useful for expressing that Tom needs to practise more using the form üben.Tatoeba #10785233 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11149682 by sundown
- Ich muss mehr üben.I need to practise more.This sentence is useful for expressing that I need to practise more using the form üben.Tatoeba #11284634 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10741339 by sundown
- Um meine Deutschkenntnisse zu verbessern, muss ich viel üben.To improve my German skills, I need to practise a lot.
- Ich trainiere meinen Wortschatz, indem ich täglich neue Wörter lerne.I practise my vocabulary by learning new words every day.
- Die Band muss den Song vor der Show gut einüben.The band needs to practise the song well before the show.
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are talking about their music lessons.
- JuliaÜbst du jeden Tag Klavier?Do you practise the piano every day?
- JulianJa, ich will das Stück schnell üben.Yes, I want to practise the piece quickly.
- JuliaDas ist gut, denn wir müssen üben.That's good, because we have to practise.
- JulianKomm, wir können jetzt zusammen üben.Come on, we can practise together now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “practise” translations and entries üben, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries üben, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
