01
dichten
to write poetry
To compose literary texts, especially poems or other works of poetry.
example
Schon als Kind liebte sie es, kleine Gedichte zu dichten.
Even as a child, she loved writing little poems.
dichten
to write poetry / to seal / to make up
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Two word families
The verb 'dichten' has two different origins. On the one hand, it belongs to the word family of 'Dichter' (poet) and 'Gedicht' (poem), in literature. On the other hand, it is related to the adjective 'dicht' (tight, sealed) and means 'abdichten' (to seal).
EXAMPLE
Goethe hat viele berühmte Balladen gedichtet.
Goethe wrote many famous ballads.
In a craft context
In the meaning 'abdichten' (to seal), the verb is used for practical, manual tasks. Typical objects are 'ein Dach' (a roof), 'ein Fenster' (a window), 'Fugen' (joints), or 'ein Leck' (a leak).
EXAMPLE
Der Handwerker hat das Leck in der Wasserleitung schnell gedichtet.
The craftsman quickly sealed the leak in the water pipe.
Colloquial expression
The meaning 'lügen' (to lie) is colloquial. It is often used in the reflexive construction 'sich (dative) etwas zusammen dichten', which means 'to make up a story'.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich nur eine Ausrede zusammengedichtet, warum er zu spät war.
He just made up an excuse for why he was late.
Compare with
dichten vs schreiben
to write
'schreiben' and 'dichten' can both mean that someone composes a text. 'schreiben' is the general word for letters, messages, stories, articles, and many other texts. 'dichten' is used mainly for poems or especially literary texts. The words can be confused because poems are also written. But not every written text is poetry. In practical terms: you write a report; you can write a poem, or more specifically, 'dichten' it.
dichten
Für den Geburtstag ihrer Mutter dichtet Anna ein kurzes Gedicht.
For her mother's birthday, Anna writes a short poem.
schreiben
Am Abend schreibt Lena einen Bericht für ihren Kurs.
In the evening, Lena writes a report for her course.
In real life
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