herum
around
Indicates movement or position in a circle around something or along a boundary.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze schleicht um den heißen Brei herum.
The cat is beating around the bush.
herum
around / about
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Meanings
herum
about / around
Expresses an approximate indication of time, quantity, or place; in the sense of 'approximately' or 'about'.
EXAMPLE
Wir treffen uns so um 18 Uhr herum.
We'll meet at around 6 p.m.
herum sein
to be over
In the expression 'herum sein' (to be over), it means that something is over or finished in terms of time.
EXAMPLE
Wenn die Woche endlich herum ist, fahre ich in den Urlaub.
When the week is finally over, I'm going on vacation.
um etwas herum kommen
to get around something
To inevitably have to do or deal with a task or situation.
EXAMPLE
Um eine Steuererklärung kommen wir dieses Jahr leider nicht herum.
Unfortunately, we won't get around filing a tax return this year.
herum
around
Indicates indefinite movement or staying in a place without a clear purpose.
EXAMPLE
Hör auf, nur faul herumzuliegen und hilf mir!
Stop just lying around lazily and help me!
Usage tips
Word structure
'Herum' (around/about) is made up of the directional particles 'her' (movement toward the speaker) and 'um' (around/in a circle). It often describes circular or undirected movement.
EXAMPLE
Komm mal schnell herum, ich will dir etwas zeigen.
Come around quickly; I want to show you something.
As a separable prefix
'Herum' is a very common separable prefix. In verbs like 'herumlaufen' (to run/walk around), 'herumstehen' (to stand around), or 'herumliegen' (to lie around), it often gives the meaning of aimlessness or inactivity.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder laufen den ganzen Tag im Garten herum.
The children run around in the garden all day.
Word order
When 'herum' means 'ungefähr' (approximately/about), it always comes after the time or quantity it refers to. The expression itself is often introduced with 'um' or 'so'.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin so gegen 10 Uhr herum bei dir.
I'll be at your place around 10 o'clock or so.
Fixed expression
The expression 'herum sein' (to be over) means that a period of time has come to an end. The subject is the period of time itself.
EXAMPLE
Endlich ist die anstrengende Woche herum!
Finally, the exhausting week is over!
Fixed expression
The idiom 'um etwas herumkommen' (to get around something) means that you cannot avoid something unpleasant. It is usually used in the negative.
EXAMPLE
Um die Prüfung wirst du nicht herumkommen.
You won't get around the exam.
Compare with
herum vs um
at / around / in order to
Um and herum can both describe movement in a circle around something. Um is a preposition placed before an accusative phrase, while herum places greater emphasis on the movement all the way around and usually comes after that phrase. Use um for the basic construction and um ... herum for clearer emphasis on circling movement.
herum
Die Kinder laufen um den Baum herum.
The children are running all the way around the tree.
um
Die Kinder laufen um den Baum.
The children are running around the tree.
In real life
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