sprudeln
bubble · fizz
Definition & meaning
sprudeln is a German verb meaning to bubble, gush, spurt, or flow vigorously.
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To bubble or gush, especially when referring to water, a spring, or a fountain:
- Das Wasser sprudelt aus der Quelle. — “The water gushes from the spring.”
- Die Quelle sprudelt kräftig. — “The spring is bubbling strongly.”
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To flow abundantly or energetically, often used figuratively for ideas, creativity, or conversation:
- Die Ideen sprudeln nur so. — “The ideas are simply pouring out.”
- Sie sprudelt vor Energie. — “She is bursting with energy.”
It can also describe a carbonated drink bubbling.
Grammar & Word origin
- Verb: sprudeln
- Type: weak, regular verb
- Auxiliary verb: haben
- Present tense: ich sprudle, du sprudelst, er/sie/es sprudelt
- Simple past: sprudelte
- Past participle: gesprudelt
- Usually intransitive: the subject itself bubbles or gushes.
- Related noun: der Sprudel — “fizzy water,” “bubbling water,” or “spring water.”
The word is an expressive formation associated with bubbling and splashing sounds. Its exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is related to the idea of liquid moving noisily and energetically.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- quellen — “to well up” or “to spring forth”; emphasizes liquid emerging from a source, whereas sprudeln emphasizes lively bubbling.
- perlen — “to bead” or “to sparkle with bubbles”; commonly used for carbonated liquids and smaller bubbles.
- spritzen — “to spray” or “to spurt”; emphasizes droplets being thrown through the air rather than continuous bubbling.
- fließen — “to flow”; is more general and does not necessarily suggest force, abundance, or bubbling.
- strömen — “to stream” or “to pour”; suggests a strong or abundant flow but not necessarily bubbles.
Antonyms
- versiegen — “to dry up” or “to run dry”; the opposite of a spring or source continuing to gush.
- stocken — “to stop flowing” or “to become stagnant”; emphasizes an interruption of movement.
- stillstehen — “to stand still”; describes the absence of movement, bubbling, or flow.
Common phrases & collocations
- eine Quelle sprudelt — “a spring is bubbling/gushing”
- Wasser sprudelt aus etwas — “water gushes out of something”
- sprudelndes Wasser — “bubbling water” or “carbonated water”
- Die Ideen sprudeln — “ideas are pouring out”
- vor Energie sprudeln — “to be bursting with energy”
- Der Sekt sprudelt — “the sparkling wine is bubbling”
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Examples
Die Wasserquelle sprudelt heftig.verb
The water source bubbles vigorously.
Blasen sprudeln im Glas, wenn man ein Getränk einschenkt.verb
Bubbles fizz in the glass when you pour a drink.
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