Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| spazieren gehen | /ʃpaˈtsiːʁən ɡeːn/ |
| bummeln | [ˈbʊml̩n] (narrow) [ˈbʊməln] (narrow) |
| schlendern | /ˈʃlɛndɐn/ |
| umherwandeln |
The German language offers several ways to express the idea of wandering on foot. You can use the verb phrase spazieren gehen for general leisure or exercise. The noun Bummel describes a specific stroll, often through a shopping district, while the related noun Spaziergang refers to the act of wandering on foot.
Which one should you use?
While spazieren gehen is the most neutral and common way to say one is going for a walk or a stroll, bummeln implies a leisurely stroll often associated with browsing shops or looking at things in a city center. schlendern and umherwandeln are also available forms for wandering.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Although spazieren gehen is a verb phrase, you can also use the noun Spaziergang in the fixed expression einen Spaziergang machen to mean 'to take a walk'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃpaˈtsiːʁən ɡeːn/
Did you know?
- The word bummeln originally described the swinging motion of a bell's clapper, mimicking the sound 'bim-bam-bum'.
Examples in context
- Wir gehen heute in die Stadt bummeln.We're going for a stroll round town.This sentence shows how to use bummeln to describe going for a stroll around town.Tatoeba #7361635 by MisterTrouser, translation #9464923 by sundown
- Würden Sie gerne einen Spaziergang machen?Would you like to take a stroll?
- Lassen Sie uns durch den Park schlendern.Let's stroll through the park.
- Lasst uns durch die Stadt bummeln.Let's take a stroll through the city.
- Wir können am Fluss entlang flanieren.We can stroll along the river.
- Lass uns einen Spaziergang im Wald machen.Let's go for a walk in the forest.
- Wir können durch die Einkaufsstraße schlendern.We can stroll through the shopping street.
- Gehen wir am Wochenende in der Nachbarschaft bummeln?Shall we take a stroll around the neighborhood this weekend?
- Wir wollen am Abend im Park spazieren gehen.We want to go for a stroll in the park in the evening.
- Möchtest du mit mir am See spazieren gehen?Would you like to go for a stroll with me by the lake?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are deciding on a weekend activity.
- FelixSollen wir heute Nachmittag im Wald spazieren gehen?Should we go for a stroll in the forest this afternoon?
- LauraJa, das ist eine sehr gute Idee, Felix.Yes, that is a very good idea, Felix.
- FelixIch nehme meine Kamera mit.I will bring my camera along.
- LauraDann können wir schöne Fotos machen.Then we can take beautiful photos.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stroll” translations and entries spazieren gehen, bummeln, schlendern, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bummeln, gehen, schlendern, spazieren, spazieren gehen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
