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'Summen' Definition

What is the meaning of the German word 'Summen'?

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The word 'Summen' is a German word that can mean 'Buzzing' in English. You can find example sentences below to help you understand how to use the word in context.

Definition of 'Summen' in English

Das Summen - The buzzing

noun , neuter

The noun 'Summen' is used to describe a 'buzzing' sound in German. It can refer to the noise made by insects, electronic devices, or any other source of buzzing sound.

Example Sentences:

  • Aber dann hört er ein Summen. - But then he hears a buzzing.

💡 Silly memory trick! 'Summen' sounds like 'zoom in.' This association can help you remember that it describes a buzzing sound.

Related Words

Summen Klettern

German Challenges

Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the indefinite article "a/an" ("eine") in the dative case for a feminine noun.

Ich schenke einer Freundin eine Blume.

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The sentence indicates the indirect object in the dative case. We are giving a flower to a friend (female). The correct form of the indefinite article for feminine nouns in the dative case is "einer." Therefore, the sentence should be "Ich schenke einer Freundin eine Blume," which means "I give a flower to a friend (female)" in English.
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "sprechen" to mean "to speak with"?

Er spricht mit seinem Vater

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The correct preposition to use with "sprechen" to convey the meaning of "to speak with" is "mit", making the expression "sprechen mit". The sentence "Er spricht mit seinem Vater" means "He is speaking with his father". The other prepositions are not suitable to express the act of speaking with someone.
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "danken" to mean "to thank for"?

Sie bedankt sich für den Brief.

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The verb "bedanken" is a reflexive verb in German, meaning it is used with a reflexive pronoun. In this case, "sich bedanken" is used to express the act of giving thanks. The correct preposition to use with "sich bedanken" for conveying the meaning of "to thank for" is "für". Therefore, the sentence "Sie bedankt sich für den Brief" translates to "She thanks [herself] for the letter," more naturally expressed in English as "She gives thanks for the letter" or "She is thankful for the letter." The use of "für" is crucial in this context to indicate what the person is thanking for.
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the definite article "the" in the nominative case for a Neuter noun.

Das Kind spielt

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The word "Kind" is a neuter noun. In German, "Kind" is "das Kind" in the nominative case, as it is the subject of the sentence. The correct sentence is "Das Kind spielt," which translates to "The child plays" in English.
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Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Mein Bruder ist gestern schwimmen gegangen.

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Since 'schwimmen' can imply motion when combined with 'gehen,' 'sein' is used as the auxiliary verb in 'Mein Bruder ist gestern schwimmen gegangen,' translating to 'My brother went swimming yesterday.' This usage of 'sein' is due to the motion indicated by 'gegangen.' Understanding when to use 'haben' or 'sein' with verbs like 'schwimmen' in different contexts is key for German fluency.
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the definite article "the" in the accusative case for a Feminine noun.

Ich lese die Zeitung.

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In German, the accusative case form of "die" remains "die" when used with feminine nouns. For example, in the sentence "Ich lese die Zeitung" (I read the newspaper), "Zeitung" is a feminine noun and "die" is used as the article in both the nominative and accusative cases. This consistency applies to all feminine nouns in German, where the article "die" does not change in the accusative case. Remembering that neuter and feminine articles do not change in the accusative case can be very helpful. It means that every time you see "das" or "die" as an article for a single noun, it will remain the same in the accusative case. Keep practicing to understand these changes in the different cases!
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "gehen" to mean "to go to"?

Ich gehe morgen zum Arzt

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The correct preposition to use with "gehen" to convey the meaning of "to go to" is "zu", forming the phrase "gehen zu". This means the sentence "Ich gehe morgen zum Arzt" translates to "I am going to the doctor tomorrow". Note that 'zu' changes to 'zum' as a shorthand for 'zu dem'.
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Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Was ist Ihr Lieblingsrestaurant, in dem Sie gegessen haben?

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For the verb 'essen' (to eat), 'haben' is the correct auxiliary verb in the past tense. So the appropriate sentence is 'Was ist Ihr Lieblingsrestaurant, in dem Sie gegessen haben?', which means 'What is your favorite restaurant in which you have eaten?'. In this case, 'essen' refers to an action involving a personal experience, thus 'haben' is used. This distinction is essential for conveying the intended action and for achieving fluency in German.
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "mögen" to fit the sentence

Du magst Schokoladeneis.

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In German, the verb "mögen" (to like) in the second person singular (informal) form is "magst." Therefore, the correct translation of "You like chocolate ice cream" into German is "Du magst Schokoladeneis."
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Beginner

Which adjective correctly describes the feminine noun in the nominative case?

Er fand eine alte, verfallene Hütte

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The adjective 'alte' is the correct word to use here because it is in the nominative case, feminine form. This adjective describes the noun 'Hütte', which is a feminine noun. 'Alt', the base form of the adjective, 'alten', the masculine or dative plural form, and 'altes', the neutral form, would all be incorrect in this context because they do not match the gender of the noun being described.
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German Topics

Prepositional Verbs Accusative Prepositions Modal Verbs Cases Summary Accusative Case Dative Case Genitive Case Auxiliary Verbs Personal Pronouns Cases Dative Prepositions Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions

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