beklemmen

/bəˈklɛmən/

verb C1

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

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: beklemmt
past: beklemmte
perfect: hat beklemmt

Meaning

to oppress
- Die Stille beklemmte ihn.
  
  The silence oppressed him.
- Die enge, dunkle Höhle beklemmte ihn. Er wollte so schnell wie möglich hinaus.
  
  The narrow, dark cave oppressed him. He wanted to get out as quickly as possible.

Similar words

unterdrücken

Beklemmen is to oppress someone with a heavy, anxious feeling; unterdrücken is to oppress or suppress more actively, often politically or emotionally holding something down.

Similar in other languages

French

opprimer

opprimer is the French word for the same thing — both mean "to oppress."

Portuguese

oprimir

oprimir is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to oppress."

Practice

1 What does beklemmen mean?

2 Fill the gap: Die Stille ___ ihn.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches beklemmen?

verb

Last updated 2026-09-24