driften
to drift
To move slowly in a direction due to wind, currents, or other natural forces.
EXAMPLE
Die Eisschollen driften mit der Strömung nach Süden.
The ice floes are drifting south with the current.
driften
to drift
driften – driftete – ist gedriftet
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Meanings
driften
to drift
To slide sideways across the road in a vehicle, especially while driving through a bend. In motor racing, this movement is deliberately initiated and controlled.
EXAMPLE
Der Rennfahrer driftet mit seinem Wagen durch die enge Kurve.
The racing driver drifts through the tight bend in his car.
driften
to drift
To gradually develop in a particular, often undesirable direction, especially with regard to political views or social conditions.
EXAMPLE
Die Partei driftet politisch immer weiter nach rechts.
The party is drifting further and further to the right politically.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry driften, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | drifte |
|---|---|
| du | driftest |
| er/sie/es | driftet |
| wir | driften |
| ihr | driftet |
| sie | driften |
Simple past
| ich | driftete |
|---|---|
| du | driftetest |
| er/sie/es | driftete |
| wir | drifteten |
| ihr | driftetet |
| sie | drifteten |
Perfect
with sein
| ich | bin gedriftet |
|---|---|
| du | bist gedriftet |
| er/sie/es | ist gedriftet |
| wir | sind gedriftet |
| ihr | seid gedriftet |
| sie | sind gedriftet |
Commands
| du | drifte! drift! |
|---|---|
| ihr | driftet! |
| Sie | driften Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | war gedriftet |
|---|---|
| du | warst gedriftet |
| er/sie/es | war gedriftet |
| wir | waren gedriftet |
| ihr | wart gedriftet |
| sie | waren gedriftet |
Future
| ich | werde driften |
|---|---|
| du | wirst driften |
| er/sie/es | wird driften |
| wir | werden driften |
| ihr | werdet driften |
| sie | werden driften |
Subjunctive I
| ich | drifte |
|---|---|
| du | driftest |
| er/sie/es | drifte |
| wir | driften |
| ihr | driftet |
| sie | driften |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | driftete |
|---|---|
| du | driftetest |
| er/sie/es | driftete |
| wir | drifteten |
| ihr | driftetet |
| sie | drifteten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | driften |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu driften |
| present participle | driftend |
| past participle | gedriftet |
Usage tips
Indicating direction
When 'driften' (to drift) describes natural movement, it is often used with 'mit' (with) for the current or wind causing the movement and with 'nach' (toward) or 'in Richtung' (in the direction of) for the destination.
EXAMPLE
Der Ballon driftete mit dem Wind in Richtung Küste.
The balloon drifted toward the coast with the wind.
Ein Stück Holz driftete nach Westen.
A piece of wood drifted west.
Typical collocations
In the context of vehicles, 'driften' (to drift) is often used with 'durch eine Kurve' (through a bend) or 'um eine Kurve' (around a bend). The vehicle or the person driving it is usually the subject.
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrer driftete mit hoher Geschwindigkeit durch die letzte Kurve.
The driver drifted through the last bend at high speed.
Political development
In this meaning, 'driften' (to drift) is often used with directions such as 'nach rechts' (to the right), 'nach links' (to the left), or 'in eine extremere Richtung' (in a more extreme direction). Adverbs such as 'allmählich' (gradually) or 'immer weiter' (further and further) often describe the slow development.
EXAMPLE
Die Bewegung driftet seit einigen Jahren immer weiter nach rechts.
The movement has been drifting further and further to the right for several years.
In real life
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