01
hängen
to hang
To attach something at one point so that it hangs freely downward. This form describes the action of hanging something up.
example
Ich hänge die Wäsche zum Trocknen auf die Leine.
I hang the laundry on the line to dry.
hängen
to hang
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Two conjugations
This verb is a common source of mistakes because it has two conjugation patterns. The action (hanging something up) is a weak verb (hängte, hat gehängt). The state (something is hanging) is a strong verb (hing, hat gehangen).
EXAMPLE
Gestern hängte ich das neue Bild an die Wand.
Yesterday I hung the new picture on the wall.
Action vs. state
When 'hängen' (to hang) describes an action, it needs an accusative object (whom or what am I hanging?). When it describes a state, it is intransitive and has no accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Er hängt seine Jacke (Akkusativ) an die Garderobe.
He hangs his jacket (accusative) on the coat rack.
Fixed preposition
In the emotional meaning, 'hängen' (to be attached) is always used with the preposition 'an' and the dative. The structure is: 'an jemandem/etwas hängen' (to be attached to someone/something).
EXAMPLE
Er hängt sehr an seinen alten Büchern.
He is very attached to his old books.
Colloquial use
The meaning 'nicht mehr funktionieren' (to stop working) is colloquial and is used almost exclusively for computers, software, or internet connections.
EXAMPLE
Das Programm hängt ständig, ich kann nicht weiterarbeiten.
The program keeps freezing; I can't continue working.
Reflexive expression
The expression 'sich hängen lassen' (to let oneself go) is reflexive. The reflexive pronoun 'sich' must be adapted to the subject of the sentence (ich lasse mich hängen, du lässt dich hängen).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Enttäuschung darfst du dich nicht so hängen lassen.
After the disappointment, you mustn't let yourself go like that.
Compare with
hängen vs stehen
to stand
'stehen' and 'hängen' can both describe where an object is located. The difference lies in the type of position. An object 'steht' when it is on a surface, for example on a table or on a shelf. An object 'hängt' when it is attached to something and hangs freely downward, for example on a wall or on a hook. The words can be confused because both are often used with location phrases. Ask yourself: Is the object on a surface? Then use 'stehen'. Is it attached at the top? Then use 'hängen'.
hängen
Im Flur hängt ein alter Mantel an der Tür.
An old coat is hanging on the door in the hallway.
stehen
Auf dem Küchentisch steht eine Schale mit Obst.
There is a bowl of fruit on the kitchen table.
In real life
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