to push / to nag
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to push
To shove forward impatiently and inconsiderately in a crowd or queue in order to get ahead faster.
An der Kasse haben alle Leute gedrängelt, um als Erste dranzukommen.
At the checkout, everyone was pushing to be the first to get served.
to nag
To persistently and repeatedly urge someone to do something faster or to make a decision.
Hör auf zu drängeln, ich bin so schnell fertig, wie ich kann!
Stop nagging, I'll be finished as quickly as I can!
'Drängeln' (to push/nag) is related to the verb 'drängen' (to press, to push). The ending '-eln' often suggests a repeated action or one perceived as annoying, which fits the meaning of 'drängeln' well.
Bitte nicht drängeln, alle kommen an die Reihe.
Please don't push; everyone will get a turn.
You can tell from context whether 'drängeln' means physical pushing or impatiently urging someone on. If it's about a queue or a crowd, the physical meaning is intended. If it's about time or a task, the figurative meaning is intended.
In der U-Bahn drängeln die Leute immer zur Tür.
On the subway, people are always pushing toward the door.
In the meaning 'to push ahead in a line', the reflexive form 'sich vordrängeln' (to push in / cut in line) is used very often. This emphasizes that someone is giving themselves an unfair advantage.
Es ist unhöflich, sich an der Supermarktkasse vorzudrängeln.
It's rude to cut in line at the supermarket checkout.
In the meaning 'to urge someone on', 'drängeln' (to nag) is often used as a negative request in the imperative to ask someone to stop doing it.
Drängel nicht so, ich beeile mich ja schon!
Don't nag me like that, I'm already hurrying!
to urge / push
Here, Drängen describes moving forward in general through physical pressure. Drängeln additionally presents the behavior as impatient and inconsiderate, especially in a queue. If someone is simply moving through a tightly packed crowd, they drängen; if they unfairly push their way to the front, they drängeln.
Beim Einsteigen drängelte ein Reisender rücksichtslos an den Wartenden vorbei.
While boarding, one passenger inconsiderately pushed past the people waiting in line.
Nach der Ankunft des Zuges drängten die Reisenden dicht zum Ausgang.
After the train arrived, the passengers pressed their way toward the exit through the crowd.
