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umherziehen
/ˈʔʊmheːɐ̯ˌt͡siːən/
to wander around
Er zieht schon seit Wochen mit seinem Rucksack umher.
He's been wandering around with his backpack for weeks now.
neutral
to move from place to place without a fixed destination, often in a leisurely or aimless manner
Die Nomaden ziehen mit ihren Herden umher.
The nomads wander around with their herds.
Er ist durch halb Europa umhergezogen.
He wandered around half of Europe.
Often implies a sense of exploration or lack of a permanent home. Can also describe traveling in a relaxed, unhurried way.
Collocations
umherziehen into wander around indurch die Gegend umherziehento wander around the areamit dem Rucksack umherziehento backpack around
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Separable verb
Remember that 'umherziehen' is a separable verb. In the present tense, 'ziehen' moves to the end of the clause: 'Er zieht umher.' In the past tense: 'Er ist umhergezogen.'
Gold Rule
Avoid literal translation of 'umher'
The prefix 'umher-' does not mean 'around' in a spatial sense here. It emphasizes the extensive or circular nature of the movement. Don't translate it as 'around' in the sense of 'in circles' (e.g., 'umherlaufen' = to run around aimlessly).
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'umbeherziehen', combining 'umbe' (around) and 'ziehen' (to pull/to move). The prefix 'umher-' intensifies the direction of movement, emphasizing circular or extensive travel.
Usage Notes
Commonly used for both literal travel and metaphorical wandering (e.g., in thought or life). The verb is separable ('er zieht umher').
Word Breakdown
umher-
prefix indicating extensive or circular movement
prefix-ziehen
to pull/to move
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