Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| drehen | /ˈdʁeː(ə)n/ /ˈdʁeːhən/ |
| wenden | /ˈvɛndən/ |
The verb is used to describe changing the direction or orientation of something. drehen is used for actions involving rotation around an axis, such as turning a knob or a key and is also used in the context of media to mean filming or shooting a scene. The noun Drehung refers to a rotation or a turn, often used when discussing physical movements or directional changes. When specifically describing a change in direction, the term Richtungswechsel is used.
Which one should you use?
Use drehen when the action involves rotation or spinning, like a key or a knob. Use wenden when the action involves changing the direction a person or a vehicle is facing, rather than spinning an object.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of drehen is gedreht. The past participle of wenden is gewendet.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdʁeː(ə)n/
Did you know?
- The expression den Spieß umdrehen literally means to 'turn the spit' (for roasting meat) and is used to mean 'turning the tables' on someone.
- The English word 'throw' and the German verb drehen actually share the same Proto-Germanic root, meaning they are distant linguistic cousins.
- The verb wenden is used when flipping a pancake or a steak, but drehen is used for rotating a dial.
Examples in context
- Drehen Sie das Gas auf.Turn on the gas.This is useful for learning how to say 'turn on' with drehen.Tatoeba #12055935 by nexx, translation #2269020 by _undertoad
- Drehen Sie bitte das Gas ab!Please turn off the gas.This is useful for learning how to say 'turn off' with drehen.Tatoeba #1856279 by Tamy, translation #63746 by CK
- Wenden Sie bitte Ihren Wagen!Please turn the car around.This is useful for learning how to say 'turn around' with wenden.Tatoeba #1922259 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1912955 by CM
- Biegen Sie links ab.Turn left.
- Mach hier eine Wende und fahr zurück.Make a turn here and go back.
- Du musst an der nächsten Ampel abbiegen.You have to turn at the next traffic light.
- Dreh dich um und geh zurück.Turn around and go back.
- Gehen Sie an der Ampel nach links.Turn left at the traffic light.
- Ich habe mich umgedreht und bin zurückgegangen.I turned around and went back.
- Auf der Autobahn müssen Sie bald abzweigen.You need to take a turn on the highway soon.
- Mach eine Wende und fahr zurück in die andere Richtung.Make a U-turn and go back in the opposite direction.
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Felix are fixing a small mechanical device in the living room.
- LauraFelix, kannst du den Knopf drehen?Felix, can you turn the knob?
- FelixJa, ich drehe ihn jetzt.Yes, I am turning it now.
- LauraGut, jetzt funktioniert es.Good, now it works.
- FelixDas war sehr einfach.That was very easy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turn” translations and entries drehen, wenden, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries drehen, wenden, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
