At the A1 level, you learn that 'sprinten' means to run very, very fast. It is like 'rennen', but even faster. You use it when you are in a big hurry. For example, if you see the bus and it is leaving, you 'sprinten'. In German, we say 'Ich sprinte'. Because you are moving from one place to another, when you talk about the past, you use 'bin'. So, 'Ich bin gesprintet'. Don't worry about long distances; 'sprinten' is only for short distances, like from your house to the car. It is a 'weak' verb, which means its forms are easy to remember. You just add '-te' for the past (sprintete) and '-et' for the participle (gesprintet). This is a good word to know for sports or when you are late for your German class!
At the A2 level, you start to distinguish between different types of running. While 'laufen' can mean just walking or running generally, 'sprinten' is specifically for high speed. You might use it to describe a scene in a movie or a sports event. You should notice the 't' at the end of the stem (sprint-). This means when you conjugate it, you often need an extra 'e' to make it sound right: 'du sprintest', 'er sprintet'. In the past tense (Präteritum), it is 'ich sprintete'. You will often hear this in the context of public transport, which is a big part of life in German-speaking countries. 'Der Zug fährt ab, wir müssen sprinten!' Learning this word helps you express urgency more clearly than just using 'schnell laufen'.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'sprinten' in various tenses and understanding its nuances compared to 'rennen' or 'rasen'. You should know that 'sprinten' is the standard term in athletics. If you are reading a news article about the Olympics, you will see '100-Meter-Sprint' and the verb 'sprinten'. You should also be aware of the figurative use in modern work environments, particularly in IT or project management, where a 'Sprint' is a short work cycle. Even if you don't use the verb 'sprinten' in an office, knowing the concept helps. You should also be able to use prepositions correctly with it: 'zum Ziel sprinten', 'über die Straße sprinten'. Remember the auxiliary verb 'sein' is mandatory for the Perfekt tense because it is a directed movement.
At the B2 level, you can use 'sprinten' to add descriptive flair to your writing and speaking. Instead of always using 'laufen', you use 'sprinten' to convey intensity and anaerobic effort. You might discuss the health benefits of 'Intervallsprinten' (interval sprinting) or describe a complex sports play. You should also recognize the word in more abstract contexts, such as 'Die Zeit sprintet' (time is flying/sprinting by), although 'rasen' is more common for time. You understand the phonetic rule that 'sp' at the beginning of a word is pronounced like 'sh-p'. You can also use related nouns like 'der Endspurt' (the final sprint/push), which is very common in both sports and business when a project is nearing completion.
At the C1 level, you understand the precise stylistic placement of 'sprinten'. You can distinguish it from 'hasten', 'eilen', and 'stürmen' based on the specific physical and psychological nuances. You might use 'sprinten' in a literary description to emphasize the physical exertion of a character: 'Mit brennenden Lungen sprintete er die Gasse hinauf.' You are also familiar with the technical aspects of the word in sports science or medical contexts, such as the recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibers during a sprint. You can use the word in complex sentence structures, such as 'Hätte er nicht so vehement gesprintet, wäre er wohl kaum noch rechtzeitig am Gate angekommen,' showing mastery of the Konjunktiv II in combination with verbs of motion.
At the C2 level, 'sprinten' is a tool for precision. You recognize its use in sophisticated journalism and literature where it might be used to create a sense of frantic pace in a narrative. You can discuss the etymology—how it was borrowed from English in the late 19th century as track and field became popularized in Germany. You are sensitive to the register; you know when 'sprinten' sounds too technical and when 'wetzen' or 'flitzen' might provide a more colorful, colloquial alternative. You can use the word metaphorically in high-level discussions about economic cycles or rapid technological advancements ('Der technologische Fortschritt sprintet voran'). Your command of the verb includes all its prefix variations (lossprinten, durchsprinten, heransprinten) and their specific valency patterns.

sprinten 30초 만에

  • Sprinten is the German verb for 'to sprint' or run at top speed.
  • It is a weak verb: sprinten, sprintete, ist gesprintet.
  • Crucially, it uses 'sein' as an auxiliary verb in the perfect tense.
  • It is used in sports, daily life (hurrying), and metaphorically for speed.
The German verb sprinten is a dynamic action word that primarily describes the act of running at full speed over a short distance. While it is deeply rooted in the world of athletics and competitive sports, its utility extends far beyond the running track into the frantic pace of modern daily life. In its most literal sense, it refers to the physiological state of maximal exertion where a person moves their legs as fast as possible to cover a specific ground. Unlike joggen (to jog) or laufen (to run/walk), sprinten implies an explosive start and a high-intensity finish. You will encounter this word most frequently in sports commentaries, but it is equally common when describing someone trying to catch a departing train or reaching a closing supermarket door just in time.
Athletic Context
In track and field, it defines the specific discipline of short-distance races like the 100m or 200m dash. Here, the focus is on technique, starting blocks, and anaerobic capacity.
Daily Urgency
Outside of sports, it describes a sudden burst of speed necessitated by external pressure, such as a countdown or a disappearing opportunity.
Metaphorical Use
In business, specifically in Agile or Scrum methodologies, a 'Sprint' is a set period of time during which specific work must be completed. While 'sprinten' as a verb is less common here than the noun 'Sprint', one might say a team is 'sprinting' toward a deadline.

Der Pendler musste zum Gleis sprinten, um den Regionalexpress noch zu erwischen.

The word carries a sense of 'all-out' effort. When you sprint, you are not pacing yourself; you are depleting your energy reserves for an immediate goal. This distinguishes it from rennen, which is more general. You can 'rennen' for ten minutes, but you can usually only 'sprinten' for a few seconds. In German culture, punctuality is highly valued, which perhaps explains why the image of someone sprinting to a meeting or a train is such a common linguistic trope.

Nach dem Anpfiff sprintete der Stürmer sofort auf das gegnerische Tor zu.

Die Kinder sprinteten um die Wette bis zum Ende des Gartens.

Grammar Note
As a regular (weak) verb, its forms are predictable: sprinten, sprintete, ist gesprintet. The addition of the '-et' in the past participle and past tense is due to the stem ending in 't'.

Obwohl er müde war, sprintete er die letzten fünfzig Meter bis zur Ziellinie.

Wir sind gestern zum Bus gesprintet, aber er ist uns vor der Nase weggefahren.

Using sprinten correctly requires understanding its role as a verb of movement. Because it indicates a change from Point A to Point B with high intensity, the prepositional environment is crucial. Common prepositions used with sprinten include zu (to), nach (towards/to), um (around/for), and über (across).
The 'Sein' Rule
In German, verbs of motion that imply a change of location use 'sein' in the Perfekt tense. 'Ich habe gesprintet' is a common mistake for English speakers; the correct form is 'Ich bin gesprintet'.
Adverbial Enhancement
To emphasize the speed, Germans often add adverbs like 'schnell', 'halsüberkopf', 'wie verrückt', or 'kurzzeitig'.

Sie sprintet jeden Morgen zur U-Bahn-Station.

When talking about professional sports, the sentence structure often includes the distance. 'Er sprintet die 100 Meter in unter zehn Sekunden.' In this specific case, where the distance is the direct object, some speakers might use 'haben', but 'sein' remains the standard for the movement itself.

Bist du wirklich die ganze Strecke gesprintet?

Reflexive Nuance
While 'sprinten' is not reflexive, you might hear 'einen Sprint hinlegen' (to put down a sprint), which is a common idiomatic way to say someone suddenly started sprinting.

Der Hund sprintete dem Ball hinterher, den ich geworfen hatte.

Können wir bitte sprinten? Wir kommen sonst zu spät zum Film!

Im Finale sprinteten alle acht Läufer gleichzeitig los.

Common Collocations
'Um sein Leben sprinten' (to sprint for one's life) is used for extreme situations, while 'ins Ziel sprinten' (to sprint into the finish) is standard for races.

Als es anfing zu regnen, sprinteten die Hochzeitsgäste ins Trockene.

The word sprinten is ubiquitous in specific environments. If you are a fan of 'Sportschau' or any German sports broadcast, you will hear it every few minutes. Commentators use it to describe a footballer's run down the wing or a cyclist's final push toward the finish line. However, its 'real-world' application is equally vibrant. In German cities, where public transportation is the backbone of movement, 'sprinten' is the soundtrack to the morning commute. You'll hear people saying, 'Ich musste zur Bahn sprinten' (I had to sprint to the train) as a standard excuse for being out of breath upon arrival at the office.
At the Stadium
'Schau mal, wie er sprintet!' (Look how he's sprinting!) is a common exclamation from fans watching a fast-paced game.
In the Office
While often used literally for catching the lift, it also appears in 'Denglisch' contexts: 'Wir sind mitten im Sprint' (We are in the middle of a [software development] sprint).

Der Kommentator schrie: 'Er sprintet an allen vorbei!'

You will also find the word in literature and news reports describing emergency situations. If a police officer chases a suspect, the report might say 'Der Beamte sprintete dem Flüchtigen hinterher.' It conveys a level of professional athleticism and urgency that 'laufen' simply lacks. In schools, during 'Bundesjugendspiele' (national youth games), 'sprinten' is the official term for the short-distance running events, making it a word every German child learns early on.

In der Schule mussten wir heute 50 Meter sprinten.

Youth Slang
Younger generations might use it jokingly when someone is moving slightly faster than a walk: 'Warum sprintest du so? Gechillt!' (Why are you sprinting? Chill!)

Als die Ampel auf Grün sprang, sprintete er über die Kreuzung.

Die Katze sprintete plötzlich aus dem Gebüsch hervor.

Drücke 'L3', um mit deinem Charakter zu sprinten.

The most frequent error for learners of German when using sprinten is the choice of the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense. Because English uses 'have' (I have sprinted), students often reflexively say 'Ich habe gesprintet'. However, in German, verbs that describe a change of location (Fortbewegung) require sein. Therefore, 'Ich bin gesprintet' is the only correct form. Another common mistake is failing to add the connecting '-e-' in the past forms. Because the stem of 'sprinten' ends in '-t', adding another '-t' for the past tense would be unpronounceable (sprint-te). Thus, an 'e' is inserted: sprintete and gesprintet.
The 'Laufen' Confusion
Learners often use 'laufen' when they mean 'sprinten'. While 'laufen' covers everything from walking to running, 'sprinten' is specific to top speed. Using 'laufen' in a 100m race context sounds too casual.
Duration vs. Intensity
Mistakenly using 'sprinten' for a long-distance run. You cannot 'sprinten' for 5 kilometers. For long distances, use 'joggen' or 'rennen'.

Incorrect: Ich habe zum Bus gesprintet.

Correct: Ich bin zum Bus gesprintet.

Misusing 'Rennen'
While 'rennen' is a synonym, 'sprinten' is more technical. If you are describing an Olympic event, 'rennen' is too informal. 'Sprinten' is the correct term for the sport.

Incorrect: Er sprintte ins Ziel.

Correct: Er sprintete ins Ziel.

Man kann nicht eine Stunde lang sprinten, das ist physiologisch unmöglich.

Wir sind gestern gesprintet, um den Regen zu vermeiden.

Word Order
In subordinate clauses, remember to put 'sprinten' at the end: '...weil ich zum Bus sprinten musste'.
German has a rich vocabulary for movement, and sprinten is just one specific point on the speed spectrum. Understanding its alternatives helps you choose the right 'vibe' for your sentence.
Rennen
The most common synonym. It is less technical than 'sprinten' and can be used for longer durations. 'Ich bin nach Hause gerannt' is very common.
Flitzen
Implies a light, quick, and often nimble movement. Think of a mouse or a small child 'flitzing' around. It sounds more playful than the aggressive 'sprinten'.
Rasen
Implies extreme, often dangerous speed. Usually used for cars (racing) or someone running so fast they are out of control.
Eilen / Hasten
These focus on the psychological state of being in a hurry rather than the physical act of running fast. You can 'eilen' without actually running.

Anstatt zu sprinten, ist er nur gemütlich gejoggt.

In a professional track context, 'sprinten' is the only appropriate word. In a casual conversation, 'rennen' is more frequent. If you want to sound more vivid, 'flitzen' is a great choice.

Die Maus flitzte unter den Schrank, während der Kater hinterher sprintete.

Er raste mit seinem Fahrrad den Hügel hinunter, fast so schnell wie ein Profi sprintet.

Technical Comparison
'Joggen' = Aerobic, long distance. 'Laufen' = General movement. 'Rennen' = Fast movement. 'Sprinten' = Maximum intensity, anaerobic.

Ich muss jetzt eilen, sonst verpasse ich meinen Termin.

Die Fußballer sprinteten während des Aufwärmens mehrmals über den Platz.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

Before 'sprinten' became common, German speakers used 'schnell laufen' or 'wetzen'. The adoption of 'sprinten' shows the influence of English sports culture on the German language during the industrial era.

발음 가이드

UK /ˈʃpʁɪntn̩/
US /ˈʃpʁɪntn̩/
The stress is on the first syllable: SPRINT-en.
라임이 맞는 단어
hinten flinten tinten finten ergründen (near rhyme) winden binden finden
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing the 's' as a normal English 's' instead of 'sh'.
  • Forgetting the 't' sound in the middle.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'en' at the end.
  • Pronouncing the 'i' like 'ee' (it should be a short 'i' as in 'bit').
  • Failing to aspirate the 'p' correctly.

난이도

독해 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate.

쓰기 3/5

Requires remembering the 'sein' auxiliary and the extra 'e' in conjugation.

말하기 3/5

The 'sh-p' pronunciation is a common hurdle for beginners.

듣기 2/5

Clear sound, usually easy to distinguish in context.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

laufen schnell gehen rennen der Sport

다음에 배울 것

die Ausdauer die Geschwindigkeit überholen atmen erschöpft

고급

anaerob die Schnellkraft die Beschleunigung der Endspurt die Kurzstrecke

알아야 할 문법

Verbs of Motion and 'Sein'

Ich bin zum Ziel gesprintet.

Weak Verb Conjugation with 't' stems

Du sprintest (not sprintst).

Separable Prefixes

Er sprintete sofort los.

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses

Ich weiß, dass er gerne sprintet.

Imperative Mood

Sprinte schneller!

수준별 예문

1

Ich sprinte zum Bus.

I sprint to the bus.

Present tense, 'ich' form.

2

Sprintest du auch?

Are you sprinting too?

Question form, 'du' form with extra 'e' for pronunciation.

3

Er sprintet sehr schnell.

He sprints very fast.

3rd person singular.

4

Wir sprinten nach Hause.

We are sprinting home.

1st person plural.

5

Ich bin gestern gesprintet.

I sprinted yesterday.

Perfekt tense with 'bin'.

6

Können wir bitte sprinten?

Can we please sprint?

Modal verb 'können' + infinitive.

7

Die Kinder sprinten im Garten.

The children are sprinting in the garden.

Plural subject.

8

Nicht sprinten, bitte gehen!

Don't sprint, please walk!

Imperative/Instructional use.

1

Der Sportler sprintete ins Ziel.

The athlete sprinted into the finish line.

Präteritum (simple past).

2

Bist du zum Bahnhof gesprintet?

Did you sprint to the station?

Perfekt question.

3

Sie sprintet, weil sie spät ist.

She is sprinting because she is late.

Conjunction 'weil' with verb at the end.

4

Mein Hund sprintet jedem Ball hinterher.

My dog sprints after every ball.

Dative object after 'hinterher'.

5

Wir sind die letzten Meter gesprintet.

We sprinted the last few meters.

Perfekt with distance/duration.

6

Warum sprintest du so plötzlich?

Why are you sprinting so suddenly?

Adverb 'plötzlich'.

7

Die Katze sprintet auf den Baum.

The cat sprints onto the tree.

Preposition 'auf' + Accusative for movement.

8

Er sprintete los, als er den Schuss hörte.

He sprinted off when he heard the shot.

Separable verb 'lossprinten' in Präteritum.

1

Wenn die Ampel blinkt, sprinten viele Leute noch schnell rüber.

When the traffic light flashes, many people still sprint across quickly.

Hypothetical/General observation.

2

Ich bin zum Supermarkt gesprintet, bevor er zugemacht hat.

I sprinted to the supermarket before it closed.

Perfekt with temporal sub-clause.

3

In der Schule mussten wir oft 60 Meter sprinten.

In school, we often had to sprint 60 meters.

Modal verb in past tense.

4

Der Dieb ist um die Ecke gesprintet und war verschwunden.

The thief sprinted around the corner and was gone.

Narrative Perfekt.

5

Obwohl er verletzt war, sprintete er zum Ball.

Although he was injured, he sprinted to the ball.

Concessive clause with 'obwohl'.

6

Du solltest nicht so viel sprinten, wenn du Knieprobleme hast.

You shouldn't sprint so much if you have knee problems.

Advice using 'sollten'.

7

Die Mannschaft ist zum Sieg gesprintet.

The team sprinted to victory.

Figurative use in sports.

8

Er hat versucht zu sprinten, aber er war zu müde.

He tried to sprint, but he was too tired.

Infinitive with 'zu'.

1

Der Stürmer sprintete in den freien Raum, um den Pass anzunehmen.

The striker sprinted into the open space to receive the pass.

Purpose clause with 'um...zu'.

2

Nach dem langen Flug bin ich förmlich aus dem Flugzeug gesprintet.

After the long flight, I literally sprinted out of the plane.

Use of the adverb 'förmlich' for emphasis.

3

Es ist beeindruckend, wie die Athleten aus den Blöcken sprinten.

It is impressive how the athletes sprint out of the blocks.

Indirect question/subordinate clause.

4

Wir sind zum Gate gesprintet, nur um zu erfahren, dass der Flug Verspätung hat.

We sprinted to the gate, only to find out that the flight is delayed.

Contrastive use of 'nur um zu'.

5

Das Kind sprintete voller Vorfreude auf seine Großeltern zu.

The child sprinted towards their grandparents full of anticipation.

Prepositional phrase 'auf...zu'.

6

In der Schlussphase des Rennens sprinteten alle Favoriten gleichzeitig los.

In the final phase of the race, all the favorites sprinted off at the same time.

Temporal phrase 'In der Schlussphase'.

7

Man sah ihm an, dass er um sein Leben sprintete.

You could tell by looking at him that he was sprinting for his life.

Idiomatic expression 'um sein Leben sprinten'.

8

Anstatt zu joggen, sollten Sie lieber kurze Intervalle sprinten.

Instead of jogging, you should rather sprint short intervals.

Comparison using 'anstatt zu'.

1

Die Gazelle sprintete mit einer unglaublichen Eleganz vor dem Löwen davon.

The gazelle sprinted away from the lion with incredible elegance.

Descriptive adverbial phrase.

2

Kaum war der Startschuss gefallen, sprintete die Menge los.

Hardly had the starting shot been fired when the crowd sprinted off.

Correlative conjunction 'kaum...da/als'.

3

Er sprintete die Treppen empor, als ginge es um Kopf und Kragen.

He sprinted up the stairs as if his life depended on it.

Konjunktiv II for hypothetical comparison.

4

Die Technologiebranche sprintet derzeit von einer Innovation zur nächsten.

The technology industry is currently sprinting from one innovation to the next.

Metaphorical use in an abstract context.

5

Trotz der Hitze sprinteten die Spieler unermüdlich über das Feld.

Despite the heat, the players sprinted tirelessly across the field.

Genitive preposition 'trotz'.

6

Es ist physiologisch unmöglich, über eine so lange Distanz zu sprinten.

It is physiologically impossible to sprint over such a long distance.

Adverbial 'physiologisch'.

7

Sie sprintete förmlich durch ihr Studium, um so schnell wie möglich zu promovieren.

She literally sprinted through her studies to get her doctorate as quickly as possible.

Metaphorical use for speed of progress.

8

Der Puls sprintete in die Höhe, als er die Nachricht las.

His pulse sprinted upwards (raced) when he read the news.

Personification of 'Puls'.

1

In einer Welt, die unaufhörlich sprintet, wird Stille zum Luxusgut.

In a world that sprints incessantly, silence becomes a luxury good.

Philosophical/Abstract relative clause.

2

Die Protagonistin sprintete durch das Labyrinth ihrer eigenen Erinnerungen.

The protagonist sprinted through the labyrinth of her own memories.

Literary metaphor.

3

Wäre er nicht so geistesgegenwärtig zum Notausgang gesprintet, wäre die Katastrophe unvermeidbar gewesen.

Had he not sprinted to the emergency exit so alertly, the catastrophe would have been unavoidable.

Conditional sentence type 3 (Irrealis der Vergangenheit).

4

Die Aktienkurse sprinteten nach der Bekanntgabe der Quartalszahlen nach oben.

Stock prices sprinted upwards after the announcement of the quarterly figures.

Financial terminology metaphor.

5

Es bedarf einer enormen Schnellkraft, um aus dem Stand derart explosiv zu sprinten.

It requires enormous explosive strength to sprint so explosively from a standstill.

Technical sports terminology.

6

Der Film sprintet förmlich durch die Handlung, ohne den Charakteren Raum zur Entfaltung zu geben.

The film literally sprints through the plot without giving the characters room to develop.

Art/Media criticism.

7

Unter dem Geleite der Polizei sprinteten die Diplomaten in die gepanzerten Limousinen.

Escorted by the police, the diplomats sprinted into the armored limousines.

Formal/Journalistic register.

8

Man kann die Evolution nicht dazu zwingen zu sprinten; sie braucht Äonen.

One cannot force evolution to sprint; it needs eons.

Scientific/Philosophical metaphor.

자주 쓰는 조합

ins Ziel sprinten
zum Bus sprinten
um sein Leben sprinten
los sprinten
die 100 Meter sprinten
kurzzeitig sprinten
hinterher sprinten
über die Straße sprinten
die Treppen hoch sprinten
voraus sprinten

자주 쓰는 구문

einen Sprint hinlegen

— To perform a sprint suddenly or impressively.

Er hat am Ende des Marathons noch einen richtigen Sprint hingelegt.

im Sprint gewinnen

— To win a race by being faster in the final meters.

Der Radfahrer hat das Rennen im Sprint gewonnen.

zum Endspurt ansetzen

— To start the final sprint or final push of a task.

Wir müssen jetzt zum Endspurt ansetzen, um das Projekt fertigzustellen.

schnell mal sprinten

— To go somewhere very quickly (often used colloquially).

Ich sprinte mal schnell zum Bäcker und hole Brötchen.

aus dem Stand sprinten

— To start a sprint from a stationary position.

Er kann unglaublich gut aus dem Stand sprinten.

die Zeit sprintet

— Time is passing very quickly (metaphorical).

Die Zeit sprintet nur so dahin, es ist schon wieder Abend.

mit letzter Kraft sprinten

— To sprint using one's remaining energy.

Mit letzter Kraft sprintete sie über die Ziellinie.

blindlings sprinten

— To sprint blindly without looking where one is going.

Er sprintete blindlings aus dem Haus und stieß mit jemandem zusammen.

wie ein Weltmeister sprinten

— To sprint like a world champion (very fast).

Mein kleiner Bruder sprintet wie ein Weltmeister.

kurz und heftig sprinten

— To sprint for a short time but with great intensity.

Beim Intervalltraining sollte man kurz und heftig sprinten.

자주 혼동되는 단어

sprinten vs spenden

Spenden means to donate. They sound slightly similar to beginners but have zero connection.

sprinten vs spritzen

Spritzen means to spray or inject. Don't confuse the 't' and 'z' sounds.

sprinten vs springen

Springen means to jump. Both are fast movements, but one is horizontal (sprinten) and one is vertical/leaping (springen).

관용어 및 표현

"Einen Sprint hinlegen"

— To suddenly speed up or make a great effort at the end.

Obwohl er weit hinten lag, legte er einen unglaublichen Sprint hin.

informal
"Der Endspurt"

— The final phase of a project or race where maximum effort is required.

Leute, wir sind im Endspurt, morgen ist Abgabe!

neutral
"Um sein Leben sprinten"

— To run as fast as possible due to extreme danger or urgency.

Als der Hund bellte, sprintete er um sein Leben.

informal
"Jemanden im Sprint abhängen"

— To outrun someone easily in a short distance.

Im Sprint hängte sie alle ihre Klassenkameraden ab.

neutral
"Auf den letzten Metern sprinten"

— To give everything right at the end.

Er sprintete auf den letzten Metern, um den Weltrekord zu brechen.

neutral
"Ein Sprint gegen die Zeit"

— A race against time.

Die Rettungsaktion war ein Sprint gegen die Zeit.

journalistic
"Den Puls zum Sprinten bringen"

— To cause a rapid increase in heart rate.

Diese Nachricht brachte meinen Puls zum Sprinten.

metaphorical
"Sprintvermögen besitzen"

— To have the ability to run fast (often used for athletes).

Er besitzt ein außergewöhnliches Sprintvermögen.

technical/sports
"In den Sprint gehen"

— To start the sprinting phase of a movement.

Der Radprofi ging 200 Meter vor dem Ziel in den Sprint.

sports
"Ein kurzer Sprint zwischendurch"

— A short burst of speed in the middle of a slower activity.

Ein kurzer Sprint zwischendurch lockert das Training auf.

neutral

혼동하기 쉬운

sprinten vs laufen

Both mean moving on legs.

'Laufen' is general (walking/running). 'Sprinten' is specifically maximal speed over short distances.

Ich laufe gerne im Wald, aber am Ende sprinte ich immer nach Hause.

sprinten vs rennen

Both imply speed.

'Rennen' is more colloquial and can cover longer distances. 'Sprinten' is more technical and short-burst.

Wir sind die ganze Zeit gerannt, aber die letzten Meter sind wir gesprintet.

sprinten vs rasen

Both imply high speed.

'Rasen' implies excessive, often reckless speed, often by a car. 'Sprinten' is controlled athletic speed.

Das Auto raste vorbei, während der Jogger am Straßenrand sprintete.

sprinten vs eilen

Both imply being in a hurry.

'Eilen' is about the state of being late/hurrying. You can 'eilen' by walking fast. 'Sprinten' is the physical act of running at top speed.

Ich eile zum Termin, deshalb muss ich jetzt zum Bus sprinten.

sprinten vs hasten

Both imply speed and urgency.

'Hasten' has a connotation of being frantic or breathless. 'Sprinten' is a more focused, athletic action.

Sie hastete nervös durch den Flur, bevor sie plötzlich zur Tür sprintete.

문장 패턴

A1

Ich sprinte zu [Dative].

Ich sprinte zum Auto.

A2

Ich bin [Distance] gesprintet.

Ich bin 50 Meter gesprintet.

B1

Er sprintete, um [Infinitive].

Er sprintete, um den Dieb zu fangen.

B2

Anstatt zu [Verb], sprintete er.

Anstatt zu gehen, sprintete er.

C1

Ohne zu zögern sprintete er [Direction].

Ohne zu zögern sprintete er davon.

C2

Hätte er nicht gesprintet, wäre [Result].

Hätte er nicht gesprintet, wäre er zu spät gekommen.

B1

Es ist Zeit zu sprinten.

Es ist Zeit zum Bahnhof zu sprinten.

A2

Warum sprintest du?

Warum sprintest du so schnell?

어휘 가족

명사

der Sprint (the sprint)
der Sprinter (the sprinter)
die Sprinterin (the female sprinter)
die Sprintstrecke (the sprint distance)
der Zwischensprint (intermediate sprint)

동사

lossprinten (to start sprinting)
durchsprinten (to sprint through)
heransprinten (to sprint towards)
umsprinten (to sprint around something)

형용사

sprintstark (strong at sprinting)
sprintorientiert (sprint-oriented)
sprintähnlich (sprint-like)

관련

rennen
laufen
die Leichtathletik
die Geschwindigkeit
die Ausdauer

사용법

frequency

Common in sports and urban life.

자주 하는 실수
  • Ich habe gesprintet. Ich bin gesprintet.

    'Sprinten' is a verb of directed motion and thus requires 'sein' as the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense.

  • Er sprintte zum Ziel. Er sprintete zum Ziel.

    When a verb stem ends in 't', an 'e' must be inserted before the past tense '-te' ending for phonetic reasons.

  • Du sprintst sehr schnell. Du sprintest sehr schnell.

    Similar to the past tense, an 'e' is needed in the second person singular present tense for stems ending in 't'.

  • Ich sprinte für 10 Kilometer. Ich renne/laufe 10 Kilometer.

    Sprinting is a short-distance, high-intensity activity. It is physically impossible to sprint for 10 kilometers.

  • Pronouncing 'sprinten' with a hard 's' (like 'snake'). Pronouncing it with a 'sh' sound (like 'shoe').

    In German, 'sp' at the beginning of a word is always pronounced 'shp'.

The 'T' Rule

Because 'sprinten' ends in 't', always remember to add an 'e' before the 'st' or 't' endings. It's 'du sprintest' and 'er sprintet'. This makes it easier to pronounce.

Speed Levels

Think of speed in German as a ladder: Gehen (walk) -> Laufen (run) -> Rennen (run fast) -> Sprinten (maximum speed). Use the right rung for the right situation!

The Train Sprint

In Germany, 'zum Zug sprinten' is a national sport. If you see someone running in a suit at a train station, they are definitely 'sprinting'.

Sh-p Sound

Practice saying 'Sport', 'Spiel', and 'Sprint' together. They all start with that 'sh-p' sound. Mastering this will instantly make your German sound more authentic.

Vivid Verbs

When writing a story, replace 'er lief schnell' with 'er sprintete'. It adds more energy and a clearer mental image for the reader.

Sports Commentary

Watch a 100m race on a German sports channel. You will hear 'sprinten' and 'Sprint' repeatedly. It's great for ear training.

Auxiliary Verb

Never use 'haben' for 'sprinten' in the perfect tense. Always use 'sein'. 'Ich bin gesprintet' is your mantra.

Time Sprints

You can say 'Die Zeit sprintet' to express that time is flying. It's a slightly more dramatic alternative to 'Die Zeit vergeht schnell'.

Interval Training

In German fitness circles, you'll hear 'Intervallsprints'. Use this word if you're talking about your workout routine.

Casual Use

If you need to leave a group quickly to grab something, say 'Ich sprinte mal kurz zum Kiosk'. It sounds very natural and proactive.

암기하기

기억법

Think of a 'SPRinter' who is 'INTENse'. The 'sprint-' part is the same as in English, but you add '-en' to make it a German verb. Just remember to 'SH-P' (sh-printen) like you're telling someone to be quiet while they run!

시각적 연상

Imagine a person running so fast they look like a blur, heading toward a giant German 'S' (for speed) that looks like a finish line.

Word Web

Sprint Sprinter schnell beine atmen ziel u-bahn sport

챌린지

Try to use 'sprinten' in three different tenses today: 'Ich sprinte', 'Ich sprintete', and 'Ich bin gesprintet'. Write a sentence for each about a time you were in a hurry.

어원

The word 'sprinten' was borrowed into German from the English verb 'to sprint' in the 19th century. This occurred alongside the rising popularity of modern track and field sports, many of which originated or were formalized in Great Britain.

원래 의미: To run at full speed for a short distance.

Germanic (via English borrowing).

문화적 맥락

No specific sensitivities; the word is neutral and safe for all contexts.

The word is a direct loanword, so English speakers have an advantage in meaning, but must be careful with the 'sh' pronunciation of 'sp'.

Usain Bolt (often mentioned in German media as the 'Sprinting-King') The 'Sprint' methodology by Jake Knapp (popular in German business circles) Bundesjugendspiele (the annual German school sports event where sprinting is mandatory)

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Sports & Athletics

  • einen neuen Rekord sprinten
  • aus den Startblöcken sprinten
  • im Zielsprint gewinnen
  • Intervallsprints machen

Public Transport

  • zum Gleis sprinten
  • dem Bus hinterher sprinten
  • gerade noch rechtzeitig sprinten
  • durch die Unterführung sprinten

Emergency/Urgency

  • um Hilfe sprinten
  • zum Telefon sprinten
  • ins Haus sprinten
  • aus der Gefahrenzone sprinten

Childhood/Play

  • um die Wette sprinten
  • verstecken und sprinten
  • zum Spielplatz sprinten
  • barfuß sprinten

Business/Agile

  • einen zweiwöchigen Sprint machen
  • durch die Aufgaben sprinten
  • am Ende des Sprints
  • Sprints planen

대화 시작하기

"Bist du schon mal um dein Leben gesprintet?"

"Was war das letzte Mal, dass du zum Bus sprinten musstest?"

"Kannst du 100 Meter in unter 15 Sekunden sprinten?"

"Sprintest du lieber morgens oder abends beim Training?"

"Findest du es stressig, wenn Leute in der U-Bahn sprinten?"

일기 주제

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du zum Bahnhof sprinten musstest. Hast du den Zug erwischt?

Ist Sprinten ein guter Sport für dich? Warum oder warum nicht?

Stell dir vor, du bist ein Profi-Sprinter bei den Olympischen Spielen. Wie fühlst du dich am Start?

Warum sprinten Menschen im modernen Leben so viel? Ist das gesund?

Schreibe über ein Tier, das sehr gut sprinten kann, und beschreibe eine Jagdszene.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes, in standard German, 'sprinten' always takes 'sein' because it describes a change of location (Fortbewegung). You say 'Ich bin gesprintet'. Only in very rare, specific athletic contexts where the focus is purely on the action itself might you hear 'haben', but for learners, 'sein' is the only correct choice.

Yes, it is a regular (weak) verb. Its principal parts are sprinten, sprintete, gesprintet. The only thing to watch for is the extra 'e' added before the 't' endings (e.g., er sprintet, ihr sprintetet) because the stem ends in 't'.

No, 'sprinten' is physically impossible for such a long distance. Use 'joggen', 'laufen', or 'rennen' for longer distances. 'Sprinten' is reserved for short bursts of speed, usually under 400 meters.

'Sprinten' is the general act of sprinting. 'Lossprinten' is a separable verb that focuses specifically on the moment someone starts their sprint. For example: 'Er sprintete plötzlich los' (He suddenly started sprinting/bolted).

Yes, but mostly as the noun 'der Sprint' in Agile project management. Using the verb 'sprinten' in a business meeting to mean 'working fast' is possible but less common than saying 'Wir machen einen Sprint'.

In German, 'sp' at the beginning of a word or syllable is pronounced like 'shp'. So 'sprinten' sounds like 'sh-printen'. This is a key rule for German phonetics.

Absolutely! It is very common to use 'sprinten' for fast animals like cheetahs (Geparden), dogs, or even cats when they move at top speed.

Common adverbs include 'schnell' (fast), 'plötzlich' (suddenly), 'kurzzeitig' (briefly), 'kraftvoll' (powerfully), and 'verzweifelt' (desperately).

Yes, it was borrowed directly from English in the 19th century. This is why they look and mean exactly the same thing.

'Endspurt' is a very common noun related to sprinting. It means the final sprint or the final push at the end of a race or a project. It's used very frequently in everyday German.

셀프 테스트 200 질문

writing

Write a sentence using 'sprinten' in the present tense about a bus.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'sprinten' in the perfect tense (Perfekt).

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writing

Write a sentence using 'sprinten' in the past tense (Präteritum).

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writing

Describe why someone might sprint in a city.

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writing

Use 'sprinten' and 'weil' in one sentence.

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writing

Create a sentence with 'lossprinten'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'sprinten' metaphorically.

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writing

Write an imperative sentence (command) using 'sprinten'.

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writing

Describe a dog sprinting after a ball.

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writing

Write a sentence with 'sprinten' and 'obwohl'.

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writing

Compare 'sprinten' and 'laufen' in two sentences.

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writing

Write a sentence about a 100-meter race.

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writing

Use the word 'Endspurt' in a sentence about a project.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'sprinten' in the Konjunktiv II.

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writing

Describe a scene at an airport using 'sprinten'.

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writing

Write a sentence with 'sprinten' and a dative object.

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writing

Use 'sprinten' in a sentence about a cat.

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writing

Write a sentence with 'sprinten' in the Futur I.

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writing

Describe the physiological feeling of sprinting.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'sprinten' to describe a car (metaphorically).

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speaking

Say: 'Ich sprinte zum Bus.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Bist du gesprintet?'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Wir sprinten um die Wette.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Er sprintete ins Ziel.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Ich bin gestern 100 Meter gesprintet.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Sprinte so schnell du kannst!'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Warum seid ihr zum Bahnhof gesprintet?'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Die Zeit sprintet heute wirklich.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Ich muss jetzt schnell zum Supermarkt sprinten.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Der Hund sprintet dem Ball hinterher.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Kannst du schneller sprinten als ich?'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Wir sind mitten im Endspurt.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Ich sprintete los, als ich den Schuss hörte.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Man kann nicht ewig sprinten.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Er sprintete die Treppe hoch.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Ich bin förmlich aus dem Haus gesprintet.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Sprinten ist anstrengend aber gut.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say: 'Wer wird das Sprintduell gewinnen?'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Ich werde morgen im Training sprinten.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Hätte ich gesprintet, wäre ich pünktlich gewesen.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Ich bin zum Bus gesprintet.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Er sprintete sehr schnell.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Wir sprinten jeden Freitag.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Bist du die ganze Strecke gesprintet?'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Die Zeit sprintet nur so dahin.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Sprinte zum Ziel!'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Der Sprinter hat gewonnen.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
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listening

Listen and repeat: 'Ich musste um mein Leben sprinten.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Wir sind zum Gate gesprintet.'

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listening

Listen and repeat: 'Er sprintete plötzlich los.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Können wir bitte sprinten?'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Ich sprinte mal schnell nach Hause.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Das Training war voller Sprints.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Sie sprintete die Straße entlang.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and repeat: 'Ohne Sprinten hätten wir es nicht geschafft.'

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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