schwärmen

See also: Schwärmen

German

Etymology

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 from a sense “to deviate from the established dogma or school of thought”.

Pronunciation

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

• Audio

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Verb

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

   Er saß am Ufer und schwärmte vor sich hin.

   He was sitting at the shore, romanticizing by himself.

3. (with für) to adore; fancy (to be romantically attracted by someone, often without making advances)

   Er schwärmte heimlich für sie.

   He secretly adored her.

4. (with von) to gush; to rave about; to be enthusiastic about

   Er schwärmte lautstark von ihr.

   He was raving loudly about her.

5. (informal, with von) to praise highly; extol

   Viele Menschen schwärmen vom Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen in Deutschland.

   Many people extol the health and social services in Germany.

Derived terms

• ausschwärmen
• Schwärmer
• Schwärmerei

 

Related terms

• Schwarm

Further reading

• “schwärmen” in Duden online