01
drängen
to urge
To get someone to do something through requests, arguments, or pressure; to hurry someone along.
example
Lass dich von ihm nicht zu einer schnellen Entscheidung drängen.
Don't let him urge you into making a quick decision.
drängen
to urge / push
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Different uses
'Drängen' (to urge/push) can be used transitively ('jemanden zu etwas drängen' — to urge someone to do something), reflexively ('sich in der Menge drängen' — to crowd together in the crowd), or intransitively in a fixed expression ('die Zeit drängt' — time is pressing). The meaning changes depending on the construction.
EXAMPLE
Er drängte mich zu einer Antwort.
He urged me to give an answer.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
When someone wants to persuade someone, the preposition 'zu' with the dative often follows, or an infinitive clause with 'zu'. The person being urged is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Meine Eltern drängen mich zu einem Medizinstudium.
My parents are urging me to study medicine.
Indicating direction
When 'drängen' (to push) describes a physical movement, the direction is often indicated with prepositions such as 'in' (into), 'an' (toward/up to), 'zu' (to), or 'durch' (through).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder drängten an die Eisdiele.
The children pushed toward the ice cream shop.
Fixed expression
The expression 'die Zeit drängt' (time is pressing) is a fixed expression and means that something is very urgent. The subject in this sentence is always 'die Zeit' (time).
EXAMPLE
Können wir das später besprechen? Die Zeit drängt, ich muss zum Bahnhof.
Can we discuss this later? Time is pressing; I have to get to the train station.
Reflexive use
The reflexive verb 'sich drängen' (to crowd together) is used to describe a large group of people or things in a confined space. It is often combined with an indication of place.
EXAMPLE
Die Reporter drängten sich um den Politiker.
The reporters crowded around the politician.
Compare with
drängen vs drücken
to press / hug
'drücken' and 'drängen' both have to do with pressure, but the kind of pressure is different. 'drücken' is used when you apply direct pressure to something with your hand or fingers, for example to a button. 'drängen' is used more when someone wants to get another person to hurry or to do something. It can also have a physical meaning, when people push or move through a crowd. Learners can easily confuse the words because both express something related to pressure. As a practical rule: you 'drückt' a button, but you 'drängt' someone toward a quick decision.
drängen
Im Bus haben viele Leute nach vorne gedrängt.
On the bus, many people pushed toward the front.
drücken
Drück bitte auf den roten Knopf, wenn das Essen fertig ist.
Please press the red button when the food is ready.
In real life
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