sich herumsprechen
to get around
To gradually become known to many people because information is passed on.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachricht hat sich im ganzen Dorf herumgesprochen.
The news got around the whole village.
herumsprechen
to get around
herumsprechen – sprach herum – hat herumgesprochen
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry herumsprechen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| er/sie/es | spricht herum |
|---|---|
| sie | sprechen herum |
Simple past
| er/sie/es | sprach herum |
|---|---|
| sie | sprachen herum |
Perfect
with haben
| er/sie/es | hat herumgesprochen |
|---|---|
| sie | haben herumgesprochen |
Past perfect
| er/sie/es | hatte herumgesprochen |
|---|---|
| sie | hatten herumgesprochen |
Future
| er/sie/es | wird herumsprechen |
|---|---|
| sie | werden herumsprechen |
Subjunctive I
| er/sie/es | spreche herum |
|---|---|
| sie | sprechen herum |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| er/sie/es | spräche herum |
|---|---|
| sie | sprächen herum |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | herumsprechen |
|---|---|
| with zu | herumzusprechen |
| present participle | herumsprechend |
| past participle | herumgesprochen |
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Herumsprechen' (to get around) is a separable verb. In main clauses, 'herum' appears at the end of the sentence; in subordinate clauses, the verb stays together. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' comes between the prefix and the verb.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachricht spricht sich schnell herum.
The news is getting around quickly.
Alle fragten sich, warum sich das Gerücht so rasch herumsprach.
Everyone wondered why the rumor had spread so quickly.
Es dauerte nicht lange, bis die Neuigkeit begann, sich herumzusprechen.
It was not long before the news began to get around.
Reflexive construction
The verb is normally used reflexively in this meaning: A piece of news or a rumor 'spricht sich herum' (gets around). The information is the subject, and the reflexive pronoun corresponds to the person or thing.
EXAMPLE
Das Gerücht hat sich unter den Kollegen herumgesprochen.
The rumor got around among the colleagues.
Solche Neuigkeiten sprechen sich in einer kleinen Stadt besonders schnell herum.
News like that spreads particularly quickly in a small town.
Typical collocations
'Sich herumsprechen' (to get around) is often used with 'Nachricht' (piece of news), 'Gerücht' (rumor), 'Neuigkeit' (news), or 'Geheimnis' (secret). Typical accompanying expressions include 'schnell' (quickly), 'allmählich' (gradually), 'im Dorf' (in the village), or 'unter den Kollegen' (among the colleagues).
EXAMPLE
Allmählich sprach sich das Geheimnis unter den Nachbarn herum.
Gradually, the secret got around among the neighbors.
In real life
Loading video examples...