01
hissen
to hoist
To pull something, especially a flag or a sail, up a mast or pole using a rope.
example
Jeden Morgen wird vor der Schule feierlich die Flagge gehisst.
Every morning, the flag is ceremonially hoisted in front of the school.
hissen
to hoist
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Typical objects
This verb is used almost exclusively with three objects: 'die Flagge hissen' (to hoist the flag), 'die Fahne hissen' (to hoist the flag), or 'die Segel hissen' (to hoist the sails). The object is always in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Matrosen hissten bei Sonnenaufgang die Segel.
The sailors hoisted the sails at sunrise.
Common passive form
Especially in connection with flags, 'hissen' (to hoist) is very often used in the passive. This emphasizes the action itself without saying who performs it.
EXAMPLE
Zum Nationalfeiertag wird an allen öffentlichen Gebäuden die Fahne gehisst.
On the national holiday, the flag is hoisted on all public buildings.
Typical context
The hoisting of a flag usually takes place in an official or ceremonial setting, e.g. in the military, government, or sports. The hoisting of sails belongs to the context of seafaring.
EXAMPLE
Die Piraten hissten ihre schwarze Flagge, als sie das Handelsschiff sahen.
The pirates hoisted their black flag when they saw the merchant ship.
Compare with
hissen vs heben
to lift
'heben' and 'hissen' both describe something going upward. 'heben' is general and fits many things that you move upward with physical effort. 'hissen' is much more specific: you mainly hoist a flag or a sail on a mast, usually with a rope. Learners may confuse the words because a flag is also lifted when it is hoisted. But the more natural phrasing is: 'eine Kiste heben' (to lift a box), but 'eine Flagge hissen' (to hoist a flag).
hissen
Vor dem Fest hisst die Schule die Flagge vor dem Eingang.
Before the celebration, the school hoists the flag in front of the entrance.
heben
Wir heben den Tisch gemeinsam an, damit der Teppich darunter passt.
We lift the table together so the rug can fit underneath.
In real life
Loading video examples...