rennen

You use rennen just like the English word 'run'. It is a regular verb in the present tense, which makes it easy to learn. You can say ich renne (I run) or wir rennen (we run). It often pairs with directions. For example, you might run 'to the house' (zum Haus) or 'away' (weg). It is a very physical word, so you will mostly use it to describe actual movement.

Use this word whenever speed is the main focus. It is perfect for sports contexts like soccer or track and field. You will also hear it constantly in daily life when people are stressed. If your friend is late for a meeting, they might text you: Ich renne! This tells you they are literally sprinting to get there. It is also great for kids playing in a park. If you see someone moving faster than a walk, rennen is your go-to word.

Do not use rennen if you are just going for a slow, healthy jog. In that case, Germans usually say joggen or laufen. Also, avoid using it for mechanical things. A car does not rennen; it fährt. A nose does not rennen when you have a cold; it läuft. Keep rennen for people or animals moving their legs very fast. Using it for a slow walk will make you sound very confused.

Germans value punctuality, which leads to a lot of rennen at train stations. You will often see people in suits sprinting to catch the U-Bahn. There is also a strong culture of 'Vereinssport' (club sports) in Germany. Running is not just exercise; it is a social event. The word itself feels very active and slightly breathless. It captures that frantic energy of modern city life perfectly.

You will often hear um die Wette rennen, which means to race someone. Another common one is wegrennen, which means to run away from something scary. If you are extremely busy, you might say you are von Termin zu Termin rennen. This means you are rushing from one meeting to another. It shows how the word moves from physical speed to metaphorical busyness.