verb

drängen

push

Jemanden stark dazu bringen, etwas schnell zu tun oder an einen Ort zu gehen.

Definition & meaning

The verb drängen has several related meanings in German:

To push or press: To exert physical force on someone or something, often in a crowded space (e.g., pushing through a crowd).
To urge or pressure: To insist that someone does something, often with a sense of haste or urgency. This can apply to tasks, decisions, or people.
To be pressing (impersonal use): Used to describe situations that require immediate attention (e.g., "Die Zeit drängt" - Time is pressing).
To strive or yearn: Often used with the preposition zu or nach to describe an internal drive or desire to reach a goal or a place (e.g., "Er drängt nach vorne" - He is pushing forward).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

Type: Weak verb.
Conjugation: drängt (present), drängte (past), hat gedrängt (perfect).
Usage: It can be used transitively (with an object) or intransitively (without an object). It is also frequently used reflexively as sich drängen (to crowd together or to push oneself).

Origin: The word originates from the Middle High German drengen, which is a causative form of dringen (to penetrate or push). It is etymologically related to the Germanic root meaning to press, squeeze, or force.