umzingeln

/ʊmˈtsɪŋl̩n/

verb C1

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

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: umzingelt
past: umzingelte
perfect: hat umzingelt

Meaning

to surround

Built from um (around) + Zingel (enclosure (old)).
- Die Polizei umzingelte das Haus.
  
  The police surrounded the house.
- Die Polizisten umzingelten das Haus. Der Täter musste aufgeben.
  
  The police officers surrounded the house. The culprit had to give up.

Made of

um around
Zingel enclosure (old)

Similar words

umgeben

umgeben is neutral, like being surrounded by friends or trees; umzingeln specifically means to surround with hostile intent, like encircling militarily.

Similar in other languages

Portuguese

circundar

circundar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to surround."

Portuguese

rodear

rodear is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to surround."

Practice

1 What does umzingeln mean?

2 Fill the gap: Die Polizei ___ das Haus.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches umzingeln?

verbinseparablecompound

Last updated 2026-09-25