VocabuoDictionaryGet the app
verb

bespannen

string · cover

Etwas mit Stoff, Leder oder einem anderen Material überziehen oder mit straffen Saiten versehen.

Definition & meaning

bespannen is a German verb with several related meanings:

  1. To stretch, cover, or fit something with a material

    • To cover a frame with canvas or fabric.
    • To stretch a net across an area.
    • To fit a racket with strings.
    • Example: eine Leinwand bespannen — to stretch canvas over a frame.
      Leinwand bespannen

  2. To equip a musical instrument with strings

    • Example: eine Geige neu bespannen — to restring a violin.
      Geige neu bespannen

  3. Colloquial: to spy on or voyeuristically watch someone

    • Example: jemanden bespannen — to watch someone secretly, often with a sexual or voyeuristic implication.
      jemanden bespannen

Grammar & Word origin

bespannen is a regular, transitive verb.

  • Infinitive: bespannen
  • Present tense: er bespannt
  • Simple past: er bespannte
  • Perfect tense: er hat bespannt
  • Past participle: bespannt

It consists of the prefix be- and spannen , meaning “to stretch,” “to tighten,” or “to tension.” The prefix be- makes the verb transitive and is inseparable: Ich bespanne den Rahmen, not Ich spanne den Rahmen be.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

Depending on the meaning, possible synonyms include:

  • überziehen — to cover something; broader and often less focused on stretching the material tightly.
  • bespannen / aufspannen — aufspannen emphasizes stretching or mounting something under tension.
  • besaiten — specifically to string a musical instrument or racket.
  • beobachten — to observe; neutral, unlike the secretive or voyeuristic sense of bespannen.
  • ausspionieren — to spy on someone, usually with a stronger implication of deliberate investigation.

Antonyms

There is no single opposite in all contexts. Depending on the meaning, antonyms include:

  • abspannen — to remove tension or take something down from a stretched position.
  • lockern — to loosen something that has been tightened or stretched.
  • entfernen — to remove a covering, net, or strings.
  • wegschauen — to look away, as an opposite of secretly watching someone.

Common phrases & collocations

  • eine Leinwand bespannen — to stretch canvas over a frame
  • einen Rahmen bespannen — to cover a frame with fabric, canvas, or wire
  • ein Netz bespannen — to stretch a net across something
  • einen Tennisschläger bespannen — to string a tennis racket
  • eine Geige neu bespannen — to restring a violin
  • jemanden heimlich bespannen — to secretly spy on or voyeuristically watch someone

Make “bespannen” part of your vocabulary.

Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Get Vocabuo on the App StoreGet Vocabuo for Android

Examples

Ich lasse meinen Tennisschläger neu bespannen.verb

I am having my tennis racket strung again.

Wir bespannen den Rahmen mit weißem Stoff.verb

We cover the frame with white fabric.

Sie bespannt ihren alten Liegestuhl mit festem Stoff.verb

She covers her old deck chair with sturdy fabric.

Keep exploring German

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play