Springen
Springen en 30 secondes
- Springen is the standard German verb for 'to jump', used in sports, play, and everyday movement.
- It is a strong verb (springt, sprang, ist gesprungen) and always uses 'sein' as its auxiliary verb.
- Metaphorically, it can mean to crack (glass), to skip (a topic), or to fill in for someone (einspringen).
- Key idioms include 'über seinen Schatten springen' (overcoming oneself) and 'ins Auge springen' (being obvious).
The German verb springen is a fundamental action verb that primarily translates to 'to jump' or 'to leap' in English. At its core, it describes the physical act of propelling oneself off the ground using one's legs. However, its semantic range extends far beyond simple physical movement, encompassing concepts of sudden change, breaking, and metaphorical leaps. In the A1 level, learners encounter it in contexts like sports or playing, but as one progresses, the nuances of 'springen' become increasingly abstract and idiomatic.
- Physical Motion
- The basic act of jumping upwards or across a distance.
- Sudden Change
- Moving quickly from one state or topic to another.
- Material Failure
- In specific contexts, it can mean to crack or burst (e.g., glass).
Die Kinder springen vor Freude in die Luft, als sie die Geschenke sehen.
Understanding 'springen' requires recognizing its status as a strong verb (Starkes Verb). This means its stem vowel changes in different tenses: springen (present), sprang (simple past), and ist gesprungen (past participle). Crucially, because it indicates a change of position or movement toward a goal, it always takes the auxiliary verb sein in the perfect tenses. This is a common stumbling block for English speakers who might expect 'haben'.
Der Sportler ist über die Hürde gesprungen.
In a broader sense, 'springen' appears in many compound verbs. For instance, aufspringen means to jump up or pop open, while abspringen means to jump off or withdraw from a deal. Each of these variations carries the core energy of the base verb—sudden, forceful movement. In literature, 'springen' can describe the way light hits a surface or how a heart beats in excitement. It is a verb of high energy and transition.
Das Glas ist durch die Hitze gesprungen.
- Grammar Tip
- Always pair 'springen' with 'sein' in the Perfekt tense.
- Visual Cue
- Think of a spring (Feder) that releases energy suddenly.
Wir springen jetzt zum nächsten Thema der Präsentation.
Using springen correctly involves mastering its conjugation and understanding its prepositional requirements. As a verb of movement, it often triggers the accusative case when indicating direction. For example, 'Ich springe in den See' (I jump into the lake) uses the accusative because there is a change of location. If you were already in the lake and just jumping up and down, you would technically use the dative, though 'hüpfen' is more common there.
- Conjugation (Präsens)
- ich springe, du springst, er/sie/es springt, wir springen, ihr springt, sie springen.
- Conjugation (Präteritum)
- ich sprang, du sprangst, er sprang, wir sprangen, ihr sprangt, sie sprangen.
Bist du schon einmal Fallschirm gesprungen?
In professional contexts, 'springen' is often used figuratively. You might 'jump' into a new role (einspringen) or 'jump' between tasks. The prefix 'ein-' in einspringen specifically means to fill in for someone or to step in at the last minute. This is a vital workplace verb. Another common usage is 'ins Auge springen', which means something is very obvious or catches one's attention immediately.
Der Fehler springt sofort ins Auge.
For advanced learners, the distinction between 'springen' and its prefixed forms like entspringen (to originate from) or überspringen (to skip/jump over) is crucial. 'Überspringen' can be used literally, like jumping over a fence, or figuratively, like skipping a grade in school or a track on a CD. Note that 'überspringen' can be separable or inseparable depending on the meaning, though usually, it is inseparable when meaning 'to skip'.
Er hat eine Klasse in der Schule übersprungen.
- Directional Prepositions
- über (over), in (into), von (from), auf (onto).
- Figurative Use
- To skip steps or to fill in for a colleague.
Kannst du für mich heute Abend einspringen?
You will encounter springen in a variety of daily environments. In a sports setting, it's ubiquitous: 'Hochsprung' (high jump), 'Weitsprung' (long jump), and 'Skispringen' (ski jumping) are major Olympic disciplines. Coaches will shout 'Spring!' to athletes. In a casual domestic setting, parents might tell their children 'Nicht auf dem Bett springen!' (Don't jump on the bed!).
- Sports
- Athletics, swimming (jumping from the board), and gymnastics.
- Nature
- Describing animals like frogs, rabbits, or deer.
Der Frosch springt in den Teich.
In the news or financial reports, you might hear about prices 'jumping' (die Preise springen nach oben), indicating a sudden and significant increase. In technical discussions, a 'Sprung' (the noun form) refers to a crack in a material or a leap in logic. If a record player is broken, people say 'Die Platte springt' (the record is skipping), a phrase still used metaphorically to describe someone who repeats themselves.
Die Aktienkurse sind heute stark gesprungen.
In colloquial speech, 'springen lassen' is a very common expression. It means to treat someone to something or to pay for something, usually with a sense of generosity. 'Er lässt ein Bier springen' means 'He's buying a round of beers'. This is a great phrase to use in a social setting to sound more like a native speaker. Similarly, 'über seinen Schatten springen' (to jump over one's shadow) is a profound idiom meaning to overcome one's own limitations or fears.
Ich musste über meinen Schatten springen, um ihn um Entschuldigung zu bitten.
- Social Context
- 'Springen lassen' for buying drinks or food.
- Personal Growth
- 'Über den Schatten springen' for overcoming fears.
The most frequent mistake learners make with springen is using the wrong auxiliary verb in the perfect tense. Because English uses 'have' (I have jumped), many students say 'Ich habe gesprungen'. In German, however, 'springen' is a verb of movement that implies a change of location, which requires sein.
- Wrong
- Ich habe über den Zaun gesprungen.
- Correct
- Ich bin über den Zaun gesprungen.
Gestern bin ich zum ersten Mal vom Dreimeterbrett gesprungen.
Another common error is confusing 'springen' with 'hüpfen'. While they both involve leaving the ground, 'hüpfen' is usually smaller, more repetitive, and often done on one leg or in a playful, light manner (like a bunny). 'Springen' is the more general, often more powerful or purposeful movement. Using 'hüpfen' for a professional athlete's high jump would sound comical or diminutive.
Prepositional errors are also frequent. Learners often forget that 'in' takes the accusative when jumping *into* something. 'Ich springe im Wasser' would mean you are already in the water and jumping up and down. 'Ich springe ins Wasser' means you are entering the water from the outside. This distinction is vital for clear communication in German.
Er springt in den (Accusative) Pool.
- Mistake: Case
- Using Dative instead of Accusative for destination.
- Mistake: Verb Choice
- Using 'springen' when 'zerbrechen' (shatter) is intended.
German has several verbs related to jumping, each with a specific nuance. Hüpfen is the most common synonym, used for small, light jumps. Satz (as in 'einen Satz machen') is a noun-based way to describe a large, sudden leap. Schnellen suggests a very fast, spring-like movement, often used for objects or sudden reflexes.
- Hüpfen
- To hop or skip lightly.
- Sprengen
- To blast or to gallop (related but different energy).
- Prallen
- To bounce or crash against something.
Das Känguru hüpft durch die Steppe.
There are also more technical or formal alternatives. Sich stürzen means to plunge or hurl oneself, often used when jumping into water or into a task with great intensity. Abheben means to take off, used for planes but also metaphorically for someone losing touch with reality. In the context of cracking, reißen (to tear/crack) or bersten (to burst) are stronger alternatives to the 'cracking' sense of 'springen'.
When comparing 'springen' to 'laufen' (to run) or 'gehen' (to walk), 'springen' always implies a moment where both feet (or all legs) are off the ground simultaneously. This physical distinction is the core of the word. In figurative language, 'springen' is often contrasted with 'bleiben' (to stay) or 'zögern' (to hesitate), emphasizing its character as a verb of action and decision.
Die Katze macht einen Satz auf den Tisch.
- Synonym Note
- 'Hopsen' is even more colloquial than 'hüpfen'.
- Antonym Note
- 'Landen' (to land) is the natural conclusion of 'springen'.
How Formal Is It?
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Guide de prononciation
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Exemples par niveau
Ich springe hoch.
I jump high.
Present tense, 1st person singular.
Die Kinder springen im Garten.
The children are jumping in the garden.
Present tense, plural.
Kannst du springen?
Can you jump?
Modal verb 'können' + infinitive.
Der Hund springt.
The dog jumps.
3rd person singular.
Wir springen zusammen.
We jump together.
1st person plural.
Spring nicht!
Don't jump!
Imperative singular.
Er springt über das Seil.
He jumps over the rope.
Preposition 'über' + accusative.
Alle springen jetzt.
Everyone is jumping now.
Subject 'Alle' takes plural verb.
Ich bin über den Zaun gesprungen.
I jumped over the fence.
Perfekt with 'sein'.
Bist du in den See gesprungen?
Did you jump into the lake?
Perfekt question, movement to a place.
Das Känguru ist weit gesprungen.
The kangaroo jumped far.
Perfekt with 'ist'.
Sie sprang vor Freude.
She jumped for joy.
Präteritum (Simple Past).
Wir sind vom Tisch gesprungen.
We jumped from the table.
Preposition 'von' + dative.
Er ist ins Auto gesprungen.
He jumped into the car.
Accusative direction 'ins' (in das).
Seid ihr über die Pfütze gesprungen?
Did you (plural) jump over the puddle?
Perfekt with 'sein', 2nd person plural.
Die Katze ist auf den Schrank gesprungen.
The cat jumped onto the cupboard.
Directional 'auf' + accusative.
Du musst über deinen Schatten springen.
You have to overcome your inner hurdles.
Idiomatic expression.
Er ist für seinen kranken Kollegen eingesprungen.
He filled in for his sick colleague.
Prefix verb 'einspringen'.
Als die Musik begann, sprang sie auf.
When the music started, she jumped up.
Separable verb 'aufspringen' in Präteritum.
Das Pferd ist über das Hindernis gesprungen.
The horse jumped over the obstacle.
Standard movement context.
Wir lassen heute Abend eine Pizza springen.
We're treating ourselves to a pizza tonight.
Idiom 'etwas springen lassen'.
Der Funke ist endlich übergesprungen.
The spark finally flew (they hit it off).
Metaphorical use of 'überspringen'.
Das Glas ist einfach so gesprungen.
The glass just cracked.
Meaning 'to crack'.
Spring nicht so schnell zu einem Ergebnis.
Don't jump to a conclusion so quickly.
Figurative movement.
Die Preise sind diesen Monat stark gesprungen.
Prices have jumped significantly this month.
Economic context.
Diese Farbe springt einem sofort ins Auge.
This color immediately catches the eye.
Idiom 'ins Auge springen'.
Er ist als Redner kurzfristig eingesprungen.
He stepped in as a speaker at short notice.
Professional context for 'einspringen'.
Wir sollten diesen Punkt der Tagesordnung überspringen.
We should skip this item on the agenda.
Inseparable prefix verb 'überspringen'.
Die Nachricht ist auf die Titelseiten gesprungen.
The news jumped to the front pages.
Media context.
Das Känguru machte einen gewaltigen Satz.
The kangaroo made a huge leap.
Noun-verb combination 'einen Satz machen'.
Der Motor ist sofort angesprungen.
The engine started immediately.
Prefix verb 'anspringen' for engines.
Er sprang zwischen verschiedenen Themen hin und her.
He jumped back and forth between different topics.
Describing erratic communication.
Der Text entspringt der Fantasie des Autors.
The text originates from the author's imagination.
Prefix verb 'entspringen' + dative.
Das spröde Material ist unter Belastung gesprungen.
The brittle material cracked under stress.
Technical/Material science context.
Die Begeisterung sprang auf das gesamte Publikum über.
The enthusiasm spread to the entire audience.
Figurative 'überspringen'.
Man darf nicht zu kurz springen bei dieser Analyse.
One must not fall short in this analysis.
Idiom 'zu kurz springen' (to be insufficient).
Das Motiv entspringt einer tiefen Sehnsucht.
The motive stems from a deep longing.
Formal use of 'entspringen'.
Er ist dem Tod gerade noch einmal von der Schippe gesprungen.
He narrowly escaped death.
Advanced idiom.
Die Handlung springt oft zwischen den Zeitebenen.
The plot often jumps between time levels.
Literary analysis context.
Ein Riss ist durch die gesamte Mauer gesprungen.
A crack has run through the entire wall.
Describing structural damage.
Seine Argumentation weist logische Sprünge auf.
His argumentation has logical leaps.
Noun 'Sprung' in intellectual context.
Die Quelle entspringt im tiefen Wald.
The spring originates in the deep forest.
Literal use of 'entspringen'.
Es ist gehupft wie gesprungen.
It's six of one and half a dozen of the other (it doesn't matter).
Fixed idiom meaning 'it's all the same'.
Der Funke der Revolution sprang auf die Nachbarländer über.
The spark of revolution spread to neighboring countries.
Historical/Political metaphor.
In der Quantenphysik springen Elektronen zwischen Niveaus.
In quantum physics, electrons jump between levels.
Scientific context.
Das Werk entsprang einer fruchtbaren Zusammenarbeit.
The work resulted from a fruitful collaboration.
Abstract origin.
Er sprang in die Bresche für seinen Mentor.
He stepped into the breach for his mentor.
Military-derived idiom for helping.
Die spröde Glasur ist beim Brennen gesprungen.
The brittle glaze cracked during firing.
Artistic/Technical context.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Seil springen
Bungee springen
Fallschirm springen
im Dreieck springen
etwas springen lassen
ins Auge springen
in die Bresche springen
von der Schippe springen
über die Klinge springen lassen
auf den Zug aufspringen
Souvent confondu avec
Hüpfen is smaller, lighter, and often repetitive.
Sprengen is to blow something up or to water (plants).
Rennen is running, not jumping.
Expressions idiomatiques
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Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
'Logische Sprünge' is a negative critique of an argument.
'Springen lassen' is positive and generous.
Only use for brittle materials like glass, stone, or ceramic.
- Using 'haben' instead of 'sein' in the Perfekt.
- Confusing 'springen' with 'sprengen' (to blast/water).
- Using 'springen' for breaking a bone (use 'brechen').
- Using Dative instead of Accusative for jumping *into* a place.
- Overusing 'springen' when 'hüpfen' would be more appropriate for light movement.
Astuces
Auxiliary Verb
Always use 'sein' for the perfect tense. This is the most common mistake for learners.
Prefixes
Learn 'einspringen' and 'aufspringen' early, as they are very common in daily life.
Pronunciation
The 'sp' at the start is pronounced like 'shp'. Practice saying 'Sport' and 'Springen'.
Generosity
Use 'einen springen lassen' when you want to treat your friends to drinks.
Precision
Use 'entspringen' instead of 'kommen von' in formal writing to describe origins.
Material Science
Remember that glass 'springt' when it gets a crack from heat.
Sports
Watch 'Skispringen' on TV to hear the word used in many technical variations.
Arguments
Avoid 'logische Sprünge' in your essays to keep your reasoning sound.
Helpfulness
Offer to 'einspringen' for someone to build good relationships at work.
Mental Image
Imagine a spring (Feder) to remember the energy and the name of the verb.
Mémorise-le
Association visuelle
A frog jumping over a 'sein' sign to remember the auxiliary verb.
Origine du mot
From Middle High German 'springen', from Old High German 'springan'.
Contexte culturel
Ski jumping is a national passion in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
If you say you will 'einen springen lassen', people will expect you to pay for the drinks.
The 'Sprung' (leap) is a concept in existential philosophy (e.g., Kierkegaard's leap of faith).
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"Bist du schon mal Bungee gesprungen?"
"Kannst du für mich einspringen, wenn ich krank bin?"
"Ist dir an diesem Entwurf etwas ins Auge gesprungen?"
"Wann musstest du das letzte Mal über deinen Schatten springen?"
"Welche Sportart mit Springen magst du am liebsten?"
Sujets d'écriture
Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du über deinen Schatten springen musstest.
Was ist dir heute besonders ins Auge gesprungen?
Würdest du gerne einmal Fallschirm springen? Warum (nicht)?
Erzähle von einem Moment, in dem du vor Freude gesprungen bist.
Wie reagierst du, wenn jemand für dich einspringt?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is always 'bin gesprungen' because it is a verb of motion.
Yes, but only for cracks in brittle things like glass, not for breaking a bone.
Springen is a general jump; hüpfen is a light hop or skip.
It means to overcome your own fears or limitations to do something difficult.
You use 'eine Klasse überspringen'.
No, it is a strong verb: springen, sprang, gesprungen.
It means to fill in for a colleague who is absent.
Yes, frogs, rabbits, and horses all 'springen'.
It means something is very noticeable or obvious.
It is the German word for skipping rope.
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Summary
Mastering 'springen' requires understanding its physical movement, its 'sein' auxiliary in the Perfekt tense, and its diverse metaphorical applications ranging from cracking glass to social generosity.
- Springen is the standard German verb for 'to jump', used in sports, play, and everyday movement.
- It is a strong verb (springt, sprang, ist gesprungen) and always uses 'sein' as its auxiliary verb.
- Metaphorically, it can mean to crack (glass), to skip (a topic), or to fill in for someone (einspringen).
- Key idioms include 'über seinen Schatten springen' (overcoming oneself) and 'ins Auge springen' (being obvious).
Auxiliary Verb
Always use 'sein' for the perfect tense. This is the most common mistake for learners.
Prefixes
Learn 'einspringen' and 'aufspringen' early, as they are very common in daily life.
Pronunciation
The 'sp' at the start is pronounced like 'shp'. Practice saying 'Sport' and 'Springen'.
Generosity
Use 'einen springen lassen' when you want to treat your friends to drinks.
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