buhlen

Definition & meaning

The verb buhlen primarily means to compete intensely or strive eagerly for someone's favor, attention, or a specific advantage. In modern usage, it is almost exclusively used with the preposition "um" (buhlen um). It often carries a slightly negative or pejorative connotation, suggesting that the effort to gain recognition is desperate, excessive, or undignified. For example, politicians might court the favor of voters (um die Gunst der Wähler buhlen).

Historically, the word had a romantic or sexual meaning. It meant to court someone, to make love, or to have an illicit extramarital relationship. In this older context, a "Buhle" referred to a lover or a paramour. While this meaning is obsolete in everyday conversation, it can still be found in classical literature or folk songs.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammatically, buhlen is a regular (weak) verb. Its principal forms are:

• Present: er/sie/es buhlt
• Past: er/sie/es buhlte
• Perfect: hat gebuhlt

The word originates from the Middle High German "buolen," which meant "to court" or "to be a lover." This was derived from the noun "Buole," which originally signified a close relative or a dear friend (likely related to the word "Bube" or boy/lad). Over the centuries, the positive sense of "dear friend" shifted toward "lover" and eventually evolved into the modern sense of competing or vying for something.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms: werben↗ (to court or recruit), ringen↗ (to struggle or wrestle for), wetteifern↗ (to vie or compete), konkurrieren↗ (to compete), liebäugeln↗ (to flirt with an idea or person), schmeicheln↗ (to flatter).

Antonyms: ignorieren↗ (to ignore), verschmähen↗ (to disdain or scorn), ablehnen↗ (to reject), vernachlässigen↗ (to neglect).