entspringen
to spring
To emerge from the ground at a particular place as the source of a river or stream.
EXAMPLE
Der Rhein entspringt in den Schweizer Alpen.
The Rhine springs from the Swiss Alps.
entspringen
to originate / to spring
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
entspringen
to originate
In a figurative sense: to arise from something or have its origin in an idea, a situation, or a feeling.
EXAMPLE
Diese Idee entsprang einer langen Diskussion im Team.
This idea originated from a long discussion within the team.
entspringen
to escape
(elevated, becoming archaic) To get away quickly in order to escape a danger or an unpleasant situation; to flee.
EXAMPLE
Er hoffte, der Gefahr noch rechtzeitig zu entspringen.
He hoped to escape the danger in time.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Entspringen' (to originate / to spring) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ent-' remains firmly attached to the stem 'springen' in all sentence forms.
EXAMPLE
Man weiß nicht genau, wo dieser Fluss entspringt.
People don't know exactly where this river springs from.
Auxiliary verb 'sein'
The perfect tense of 'entspringen' (to originate / to spring) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be). The verb describes an origin or a movement out of something.
EXAMPLE
Die Donau ist im Schwarzwald entsprungen.
The Danube has sprung from the Black Forest.
Preposition 'aus'
In the most common meanings (source of a river, origin of an idea), the origin is indicated with the preposition 'aus' and the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Bach entspringt aus einer kleinen Quelle im Wald.
The stream springs from a small source in the forest.
Context clue
When 'entspringen' (to spring) refers to geographical places (mountains, springs), the literal meaning is intended. If it refers to abstract nouns like 'Idee' (idea), 'Fantasie' (imagination), 'Notwendigkeit' (necessity), or 'Gefühl' (feeling), the figurative meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Der Amazonas entspringt in den Anden.
The Amazon springs from the Andes.
Register and style
The meaning 'fliehen' (to flee/escape) is outdated and is now used only in elevated or literary language. It is very rare in normal usage.
EXAMPLE
Der Ritter konnte dem Kerker unbemerkt entspringen.
The knight was able to escape the dungeon unnoticed.
Dative construction
In the meaning 'fliehen' (to flee/escape), the thing one is fleeing from is in the dative. One escapes 'der Gefahr' (the danger) or 'dem Gefängnis' (the prison).
EXAMPLE
Er war froh, dieser unangenehmen Situation entsprungen zu sein.
He was glad to have escaped this unpleasant situation.
Compare with
entspringen vs stammen
to originate
Stammen and entspringen can both name the origin of a problem, idea, or feeling. Stammen is a neutral statement of origin. Entspringen presents the origin metaphorically as a source, which makes it sound stronger or more elevated. Stammen is usually the better choice for a factual statement, while entspringen conveys this figurative nuance.
entspringen
Seine Zweifel entspringen einer tiefen Angst vor neuen Enttäuschungen.
His doubts spring from a deep fear of further disappointments.
stammen
Seine Zweifel stammen aus früheren schlechten Erfahrungen.
His doubts stem from earlier bad experiences.
In real life
Loading video examples...