to google
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To use the Google search engine to find information on the internet. This meaning is the original and specific one.
Ich wusste die Antwort nicht, also habe ich es schnell gegoogelt.
I didn't know the answer, so I quickly googled it.
search online
Used generally for searching for information on the internet, even if a search engine other than Google is used.
Googel doch mal, wann der Film anfängt, egal ob du Bing oder DuckDuckGo benutzt.
Just search online to see when the film starts, whether you use Bing or DuckDuckGo.
The verb 'googeln' (to google) is derived from the brand name 'Google'. But as a Germanized verb, it is written in lowercase and conjugated like a normal German verb.
Kannst du das für mich bitte mal googeln?
Could you please google that for me?
You can use 'googeln' (to google) either with a direct accusative object or with the preposition 'nach'. Both forms are correct and very common.
Ich google schnell die Öffnungszeiten des Museums.
I'll quickly google the museum's opening hours.
'Googeln' (to google) is a regular (weak) verb. In the first-person singular, the form 'ich google' is usually used in spoken language, with the 'e' before the 'l' dropped.
Warte, ich google das mal eben auf meinem Handy.
Wait, I'll just google that on my phone.
The word 'googeln' (to google/search online) is extremely common in everyday language and has become the standard verb for internet searches, regardless of the search engine actually used.
„Woher weißt du das alles?“ – „Ich habe gestern Abend ein bisschen gegoogelt.“
'How do you know all that?' — 'I googled around a bit last night.'
to search / look for
Both words can describe the intention to find information on the internet. „Suchen“ refers to the process in general, while „googeln“ specifically means using the Google search engine. Use „suchen“ when the tool is unimportant and „googeln“ when Google is meant as the search engine.
Ich google die Öffnungszeiten des Museums.
I’m googling the museum’s opening hours.
Ich suche im Internet nach Informationen über die Öffnungszeiten.
I’m looking for information about the opening hours online.
