die Drehung
rotation
The movement of a body around its own axis or a fixed center point.
EXAMPLE
Die Pirouette der Tänzerin bestand aus drei schnellen Drehungen.
The dancer's pirouette consisted of three quick rotations.
die Drehung
rotation / twist
die Drehung, die Drehungen
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Meanings
die Drehung
twist
Figuratively, an unexpected turn or a new interpretation in a story, plan, or argument.
EXAMPLE
Die überraschende Drehung am Ende des Films hat niemand erwartet.
No one expected the surprising twist at the end of the film.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Drehung, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Drehungen |
| genitive | der Drehung |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Drehung | die Drehungen |
| accusative | die Drehung | die Drehungen |
| dative | der Drehung | den Drehungen |
| genitive | der Drehung | der Drehungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Die Drehung' (the rotation/twist) is derived from the verb 'drehen' (to turn). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a noun that describes the action or result of turning. This pattern is very common in German.
EXAMPLE
Die Erde vollendet eine Drehung um ihre Achse in 24 Stunden.
The Earth completes one rotation around its axis in 24 hours.
Typical collocations
In the physical sense, 'Drehung' (rotation) is often combined with the verb 'machen' (to make/do) or 'vollführen' (to perform). The degree of rotation is also often given, for example 'eine Drehung um 180 Grad' (a 180-degree rotation).
EXAMPLE
Der Tänzer machte eine elegante Drehung auf der Bühne.
The dancer made an elegant rotation on the stage.
Für diese Übung müssen Sie eine halbe Drehung nach links machen.
For this exercise, you need to make a half rotation to the left.
Figurative meaning
This meaning refers to an unexpected development in a plot or line of action, for example in a film, book, or discussion. It is often combined with the adjective 'überraschend' (surprising).
EXAMPLE
Die Geschichte nahm eine interessante Drehung, als der Detektiv selbst verdächtigt wurde.
The story took an interesting twist when the detective himself became a suspect.
Das Argument bekam eine neue Drehung, als weitere Fakten bekannt wurden.
The argument took on a new twist when more facts became known.
Compare with
Drehung vs Dreh
trick / shoot / turn
Der Dreh usually refers more to a single turn and sounds less formal. Die Drehung is the general term for movement around an axis or a center point. Dreh fits a single brief movement, while Drehung refers to the movement as a process.
Drehung
Die langsame Drehung des Griffs öffnet schließlich die Tür.
The slow rotation of the handle eventually opens the door.
Dreh
Mit einem schnellen Dreh am Griff öffnet Jana die Tür.
With a quick turn of the handle, Jana opens the door.
In real life
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