schwellen

Meaning in English

schwellen means to swell, to expand, to become larger, often because of fluid, inflammation, pressure, or rising levels.

Common translations:

• to swell up (e.g., a body part)
• to rise / to surge (e.g., water levels, numbers)
• to inflate / to bulge (in certain contexts)

Examples of typical use (for context):

• Der Fuß ist geschwollen. — The foot is swollen.
• Der Fluss schwillt an. — The river is rising/swelling.

Multiple meanings / typical contexts

1. Physical swelling (body, material)
   • Der Knöchel schwillt an. — The ankle swells up.
2. Increase in level/amount (water, crowds, numbers)
   • Die Zahl der Besucher schwillt an. — The number of visitors increases.
3. Figurative: growing intensity
   • Die Musik schwillt an. — The music swells (gets louder/full).

Word parts / structure

• Base verb: schwellen
• Often used with a separable particle:
  • anschwellen = to swell up / to increase (noticeably)
• Strong verb (irregular):
  • schwillt (present, 3rd person)
  • schwoll (simple past)
  • ist geschwollen (past participle; commonly with sein)

German synonyms (depending on meaning)

• For physical swelling: anschwellen, aufquellen, sich entzünden (if caused by inflammation), dicker werden
• For rising/increasing: ansteigen, zunehmen, wachsen
• For sound/music: lauter werden, anschwellen

German antonyms (if applicable)

• For swelling/size: abschwillen, zurückgehen, abnehmen
• For rising levels: sinken, fallen
• For sound: leiser werden, abklingen