trembling / shaking
das Zittern
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trembling
Involuntary, usually rapid and regular movements of the body or individual body parts, for example caused by cold, fear, or illness.
Das Zittern seiner Hände wurde vor Aufregung immer stärker.
The trembling of his hands grew more and more intense from excitement.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Zitterns |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Zittern | – |
| accusative | das Zittern | – |
| dative | dem Zittern | – |
| genitive | des Zitterns | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Das Zittern' (trembling) is a nominalized verb and refers to the process as a noun. In a sentence, it can therefore be described more precisely with an addition such as 'der Hände' (of the hands) or 'in den Beinen' (in the legs).
Das Zittern seiner Hände fiel allen im Raum auf.
Everyone in the room noticed the trembling of his hands.
Common collocations include 'starkes Zittern' (intense trembling), 'ein leichtes Zittern' (a slight tremor), 'ein Zittern spüren' (to feel a tremor), and 'das Zittern lässt nach' (the trembling subsides). These combinations help express the intensity or progression of the process.
Nach einigen Minuten ließ das Zittern in ihren Händen langsam nach.
After a few minutes, the trembling in her hands slowly subsided.
With 'Zittern' (trembling), the cause is often introduced with 'vor' (from / with); this is followed by a noun in the dative. Typical expressions are 'vor Kälte' (from the cold), 'vor Angst' (from fear), and 'vor Aufregung' (from excitement).
Das Zittern vor Kälte hörte erst auf, als er ins Warme kam.
The trembling from the cold did not stop until he went somewhere warm.
