baumeln
to dangle
To hang down loosely and swinging, moving slightly back and forth.
EXAMPLE
Er saß auf der Mauer und ließ die Beine baumeln.
He sat on the wall and let his legs dangle.
baumeln
to dangle
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Meanings
die Seele baumeln lassen
to unwind
A fixed expression meaning to relax, do nothing, and forget your worries.
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub will ich einfach nur am Strand liegen und die Seele baumeln lassen.
On vacation, I just want to lie on the beach and unwind.
Usage tips
Word structure
The ending '-eln' often suggests a repeated, light, or playful movement. So 'Baumeln' (dangling) does not describe hanging once, but a continuous, gentle swinging motion.
EXAMPLE
An ihrem Schlüsselbund baumelte ein kleiner Teddybär.
A small teddy bear dangled from her keychain.
Typical collocations
The verb 'baumeln' (to dangle) is very often used with body parts that hang down freely. Typical phrases are 'die Beine baumeln lassen' (to let one's legs dangle) or 'mit den Füßen baumeln' (to dangle one's feet).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder saßen auf der Brücke und ließen ihre Beine über dem Wasser baumeln.
The children sat on the bridge and let their legs dangle over the water.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'die Seele baumeln lassen' (to unwind) is a fixed unit. It means to relax completely. The structure is always '[Person] lässt die Seele baumeln' ([person] unwinds).
EXAMPLE
Nach einer anstrengenden Woche freue ich mich darauf, am Wochenende einfach die Seele baumeln zu lassen.
After a tiring week, I'm looking forward to simply unwinding on the weekend.
Compare with
baumeln vs hängen
to hang
Both words describe something hanging loosely downward. Hängen mainly names the state, while baumeln additionally emphasizes a slight back-and-forth movement. Use hängen when the position is important, and baumeln when the object is visibly moving.
baumeln
Die Lichterkette baumelt am Balkon leicht im Wind.
The string of lights is dangling from the balcony, moving slightly in the wind.
hängen
Die Lichterkette hängt am Balkon und bleibt ganz ruhig.
The string of lights is hanging from the balcony and remains completely still.
In real life
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