klimpern
to jingle
To produce a bright, light, and often irregular sound, especially with metal objects such as coins or keys.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Tasche klimpern die Münzen bei jedem Schritt.
The coins in his pocket jingle with every step.
klimpern
to jingle / to plunk away
klimpern – klimperte – hat geklimpert
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
klimpern
to plunk away
To play simple or unskilled music on a musical instrument.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder klimpert seit einer Stunde auf dem Klavier.
My brother has been plunking away on the piano for an hour.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry klimpern, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | klimpere klimpre |
|---|---|
| du | klimperst |
| er/sie/es | klimpert |
| wir | klimpern |
| ihr | klimpert |
| sie | klimpern |
Simple past
| ich | klimperte |
|---|---|
| du | klimpertest |
| er/sie/es | klimperte |
| wir | klimperten |
| ihr | klimpertet |
| sie | klimperten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe geklimpert |
|---|---|
| du | hast geklimpert |
| er/sie/es | hat geklimpert |
| wir | haben geklimpert |
| ihr | habt geklimpert |
| sie | haben geklimpert |
Commands
| du | klimpere! klimper!, klimpre! |
|---|---|
| ihr | klimpert! |
| Sie | klimpern Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte geklimpert |
|---|---|
| du | hattest geklimpert |
| er/sie/es | hatte geklimpert |
| wir | hatten geklimpert |
| ihr | hattet geklimpert |
| sie | hatten geklimpert |
Future
| ich | werde klimpern |
|---|---|
| du | wirst klimpern |
| er/sie/es | wird klimpern |
| wir | werden klimpern |
| ihr | werdet klimpern |
| sie | werden klimpern |
Subjunctive I
| ich | klimpere klimpre |
|---|---|
| du | klimperst |
| er/sie/es | klimpere klimpre |
| wir | klimpern |
| ihr | klimpert |
| sie | klimpern |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | klimperte |
|---|---|
| du | klimpertest |
| er/sie/es | klimperte |
| wir | klimperten |
| ihr | klimpertet |
| sie | klimperten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | klimpern |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu klimpern |
| present participle | klimpernd |
| past participle | geklimpert |
Usage tips
Typical sounds
In this meaning, 'klimpern' (to jingle) is often used with objects that move and knock against one another, such as coins, keys, or bangles. The verb frequently describes a sound produced during movement.
EXAMPLE
Ungeduldig klimperte er mit seinem Schlüsselbund.
He jingled his bunch of keys impatiently.
Specifying the instrument
When 'klimpern' (to plunk away) refers to playing an instrument, the instrument is usually used with 'auf' and the dative. The action is especially often described with 'auf dem Klavier' (on the piano) or 'auf der Gitarre' (on the guitar).
EXAMPLE
Am Abend klimpert sie auf dem Klavier eine einfache Melodie.
In the evening, she plunks out a simple melody on the piano.
Colloquial tone
In the sense of making music, 'klimpern' (to plunk away) often sounds colloquial and may suggest that someone is playing only simple, undemanding music. The verb therefore works particularly well in casual or narrative situations.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder klimperten im Wohnzimmer vor sich hin.
The children were plunking away in the living room.
In real life
Loading video examples...