schwärmen

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See also: Schwärmen

German

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Etymology

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From Middle High German swermen (to swarm), from Old High German swermen (to swarm), derived from swarm (swarm of bees), whence modern German Schwarm (swarm; flock of birds). The figurative senses developed in Early Modern German via “to deviate from the established dogma or school of thought”.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈʃvɛrmən/, [ˈʃʋɛʁ-], [ʃʋɛɐ̯-], [-mən], [-mn̩], [-mm̩]
  • Audio:(file)

Verb

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schwärmen (weak, third-person singular present schwärmt, past tense schwärmte, past participle geschwärmt, auxiliary haben)

  1. (of birds and insects) to swarm; to fly in swarms or flocks
    Die Bienen schwärmen.
    The bees swarm.
  2. to romanticize; be given to romantic or mystic thoughts
    Synonym: schwelgen
    Er saß am Ufer und schwärmte vor sich hin.
    He was sitting at the shore, romanticizing by himself.
  3. to adore; fancy (to be romantically attracted by someone, often without making advances) [with für]
    Er schwärmte heimlich für sie.
    He secretly adored her.
  4. to gush; to rave about; to be enthusiastic about [with von]
    Er schwärmte lautstark von ihr.
    He was raving loudly about her.
  5. (informal) to praise highly; extol [with von]
    Viele Menschen schwärmen vom Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen in Deutschland.
    Many people extol the health and social services in Germany.

Conjugation

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Derived terms

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Further reading

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