zielen

/ˈtsiːlən/

verb B2

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

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: zielt
past: zielte
perfect: hat gezielt

Meaning

to aim
- Er zielte auf die Mitte der Scheibe.
  
  He aimed at the middle of the target.
- Der Schütze zielte genau auf die Mitte der Scheibe. Er traf sie mit dem ersten Schuss.
  
  The marksman aimed exactly at the centre of the target. He hit it with the first shot.

Similar words

bezwecken

Bezwecken is aiming at achieving a specific purpose or goal with an action — what the action is meant to achieve; zielen is aiming literally, like a weapon, or figuratively at a target.

Similar in other languages

Portuguese

objetivar

objetivar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to aim."

Portuguese

visar

visar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to aim."

Practice

1 What does zielen mean?

2 Fill the gap: Er ___ auf die Mitte der Scheibe.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches zielen?

verb

Last updated 2026-09-24