01
blasen
to blow
To forcefully expel air with the mouth or a device, or to set air in motion.
example
Der Wind bläst heute sehr stark.
The wind is blowing very strongly today.
blasen
to blow
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Register and context
Careful: this word has both a harmless and a vulgar meaning. In most contexts (wind, musical instrument), it is unproblematic, but without clear context it can be understood as a sexual innuendo.
EXAMPLE
Der Föhn kann sowohl kalte als auch warme Luft blasen.
The hair dryer can blow both cold and warm air.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'Luft bewegen' (to move air), 'blasen' (to blow) is often used impersonally with the wind as the subject. But you can also actively blow soap bubbles or smoke into the air, for example.
EXAMPLE
Der Herbstwind bläst die Blätter von den Bäumen.
The autumn wind blows the leaves off the trees.
Use with instruments
When 'blasen' (to blow/play) is used with a musical instrument, it is always a wind instrument. The instrument appears directly after the verb as the accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Im Orchester bläst sie das Horn.
She plays the horn in the orchestra.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'Trübsal blasen' (to mope) is a fixed unit and means 'traurig sein' (to be sad). The word 'Trübsal' is now used almost only in this expression.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Absage hat er den ganzen Tag nur Trübsal geblasen.
After the cancellation, he just moped around all day.
Compare with
blasen vs spielen
to play
'spielen' and 'blasen' can both be used with musical instruments. 'spielen' is the general word for instruments: you can play the piano, guitar, violin, or trumpet. 'blasen' only fits with wind instruments, because you blow air into them, for example with the trumpet, flute, or clarinet. The words can be confused because with some instruments you can say both. 'Trompete spielen' (to play the trumpet) is neutral; 'Trompete blasen' emphasizes how the sound is produced. For instruments that do not use air, you only say 'spielen'.
blasen
In der Pause hat ein Musiker vor dem Rathaus Trompete geblasen.
During the break, a musician played the trumpet in front of the town hall.
spielen
Frau Krüger spielt nach der Arbeit oft eine halbe Stunde Klavier.
After work, Ms. Krüger often plays the piano for half an hour.
In real life
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