federn
to spring back
To give under pressure and return to the original position or bounce.
EXAMPLE
Der Boden federt bei jedem Schritt leicht.
The floor springs back slightly with every step.
federn
to spring / to fit with suspension
federn – federte – hat gefedert
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Meanings
etwas federn
to fit with suspension
To equip a vehicle, seat, or device with suspension to absorb shocks; usually used in the past participle form 'gefedert' (fitted with suspension).
EXAMPLE
Das Mountainbike ist vorne und hinten gefedert.
The mountain bike is fitted with suspension at the front and rear.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry federn, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | federe fedre |
|---|---|
| du | federst |
| er/sie/es | federt |
| wir | federn |
| ihr | federt |
| sie | federn |
Simple past
| ich | federte |
|---|---|
| du | federtest |
| er/sie/es | federte |
| wir | federten |
| ihr | federtet |
| sie | federten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe gefedert |
|---|---|
| du | hast gefedert |
| er/sie/es | hat gefedert |
| wir | haben gefedert |
| ihr | habt gefedert |
| sie | haben gefedert |
Commands
| du | feder! federe!, fedre! |
|---|---|
| ihr | federt! |
| Sie | federn Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte gefedert |
|---|---|
| du | hattest gefedert |
| er/sie/es | hatte gefedert |
| wir | hatten gefedert |
| ihr | hattet gefedert |
| sie | hatten gefedert |
Future
| ich | werde federn |
|---|---|
| du | wirst federn |
| er/sie/es | wird federn |
| wir | werden federn |
| ihr | werdet federn |
| sie | werden federn |
Subjunctive I
| ich | federe fedre |
|---|---|
| du | federst |
| er/sie/es | federe fedre |
| wir | federn |
| ihr | federt |
| sie | federn |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | federte |
|---|---|
| du | federtest |
| er/sie/es | federte |
| wir | federten |
| ihr | federtet |
| sie | federten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | federn |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu federn |
| present participle | federnd |
| past participle | gefedert |
Usage tips
Word family
'federn' (to spring / to fit with suspension) is related to the noun 'die Feder' (spring). Imagining a spring that bends and returns to its original position is especially helpful for understanding the meanings related to elasticity.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Matratze federt kaum noch.
The old mattress barely springs back anymore.
Typical subjects
When 'federn' means 'to give under pressure and spring back', typical subjects include a floor, a mattress, a seat, or a vehicle's suspension. Here, the verb describes a movement or reaction of the object itself.
EXAMPLE
Der Sportschuh federt bei jedem Schritt angenehm.
The athletic shoe springs back pleasantly with every step.
Good or firm suspension
In this sense, 'federn' (to fit with suspension) is usually used in the past participle form 'gefedert' (fitted with suspension), often together with 'gut' (well), 'weich' (softly), or 'hart' (firmly). It typically refers to cars, bicycles, seats, and vehicle suspension systems.
EXAMPLE
Der Sitz ist für lange Fahrten zu hart gefedert.
The seat's suspension is too firm for long journeys.
In real life
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