verb

fegen

sweep

Man benutzt einen Besen, um Schmutz oder Staub vom Boden weg zumachen.

Definition & meaning

The word "fegen" primarily refers to the act of cleaning a surface, typically a floor, by using a broom or brush to move dirt, dust, or debris. Beyond this literal sense, it describes moving very quickly or forcefully over a surface or through an area.

There are three main contexts for this word:

To sweep: This is the most common use, referring to domestic cleaning, such as sweeping a kitchen floor or a sidewalk.
To rush or blast: It describes rapid movement. For instance, a storm can sweep (fegen) across the countryside, or a person might rush (fegen) through a hallway when in a hurry.
Hunting/Nature: In a specialized biological context, it refers to male deer rubbing their antlers against branches or saplings to remove the dead skin, known as velvet.

Grammar & Word origin

"fegen" is a regular (weak) verb. Its principal parts are:

Present: er/sie/es fegt
Preterite: fegte
Perfect: hat gefegt

The word originates from the Middle High German "vegen" and the Old High German "fegōn," which initially meant to clean, polish, or adorn. Over centuries, the meaning became more specific to the action of using a broom. It is etymologically related to the English word "fair" (in the sense of making something clean or bright).