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
dichten
to seal
To seal something; to close joints, cracks, or gaps so that no liquid or air can pass through.
EXAMPLE
Der Handwerker muss das undichte Fenster dichten, bevor es wieder regnet.
The craftsman has to seal the leaky window before it rains again.
dichten
to make up
Colloquial for lying or making something up; to invent a story that does not correspond to the truth.
EXAMPLE
Glaub ihm kein Wort, der dichtet sich doch nur etwas zusammen.
Don't believe a word he says; he's just making something up.
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
Both words can refer to composing a poem. Schreiben is neutral and can express the writing process or authorship, while dichten explicitly emphasizes poetic creation. Schreiben is suitable for a general text; for a poem, dichten is especially appropriate.
dichten
Sie dichtet gerade ein Gedicht über ihre Reise.
She is currently writing a poem about her trip.
schreiben
Sie schreibt gerade einen Text über ihre Reise.
She is currently writing a text about her trip.
In real life
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