fegen
/ˈfeːɡn̩/
The English phrase sweep can be translated into German as fegen or kehren.
Meaning: to clean using a broom or brush (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| fegen | /ˈfeːɡn̩/ |
| kehren | /ˈkeːrən/ |
The verb refers to the act of cleaning using a broom or a brush.
Which one should you use?
The verb kehren is the standard term used in many formal contexts or in specific regional dialects like those in Southern Germany or Austria for sweeping.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of fegen is gefegt, while the past participle of kehren is gekehrt.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfeːɡn̩/
Did you know?
- In Germany, the Schornsteinfeger or chimney sweep is considered a symbol of good luck. It is traditional to touch a chimney sweep's button for fortune.
- The word kehren is a contronym in German. While it can mean 'to sweep', it also means 'to turn around' or 'to return'.
- While fegen is the literal act of sweeping, in certain German slang contexts, to fegen can mean to move very fast or to drift through a corner.
Examples in context
- Maria will das Haus fegen.Mary wants to sweep the house.This sentence is useful for showing how to express the intent to sweep a house using fegen.Tatoeba #1496803 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1496797 by Spamster
- Ich ließ ihn den Boden fegen.I made him sweep the floor.This sentence is useful for showing how to use fegen when someone is made to sweep a floor.Tatoeba #2140518 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #260438 by CK
- Ich ließ mein Zimmer von ihr kehren.I had her sweep my room.This sentence is useful for showing how to use kehren when someone is made to sweep a room.Tatoeba #725812 by Dejo, translation #308326 by CK
- Ich muss den Boden fegen.I need to sweep the floor.
- Kannst du bitte den Boden kehren?Can you please sweep the floor?
- Hast du Lust, die Terrasse zu fegen?Do you feel like sweeping the terrace?
- Kannst du bitte den Hof kehren?Can you please sweep the courtyard?
- Warum fegst du den Flur nicht?Why aren't you sweeping the hallway?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are cleaning their kitchen together.
- FelixSoll ich die Küche fegen?Should I sweep the kitchen?
- JuliaJa, bitte feg auch den Flur.Yes, please sweep the hallway too.
- FelixWo ist der Besen?Where is the broom?
- JuliaEr steht in der Ecke.It is standing in the corner.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweep” translations and entries fegen, kehren, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
