beben

/ˈbeːbn̩/

verb B2

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: bebt
past: bebte
perfect: hat gebebt

Meaning

to tremble
- Die Erde bebte.
  
  The earth shook.
- Die Erde bebte mehrere Sekunden lang. Viele Menschen liefen erschrocken auf die Straße.
  
  The earth trembled for several seconds. Many people ran frightened out into the street.

Similar words

zittern

beben is more intense or large-scale, like an earthquake trembling; zittern is more personal or small-scale, like a person trembling from cold or fear.

Similar in other languages

French

trembler

trembler is the French word for the same thing — both mean "to tremble."

Portuguese

tremer

tremer is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to tremble."

Practice

1 What does beben mean?

2 Fill the gap: Die Erde ___.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches beben?

verb

Last updated 2026-09-25