klingeln
to ring
To produce a clear, usually metallic sound, like a bell, an alarm clock, or an old telephone.
EXAMPLE
Das Telefon klingelt schon seit einer Minute.
The phone has been ringing for a minute already.
klingeln
to ring
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Meanings
klingeln
to ring
To press a doorbell in order to make oneself noticed.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe bei dir geklingelt, aber niemand hat aufgemacht.
I rang your doorbell, but no one opened the door.
es klingelt bei jemandem
to ring a bell
An idiom meaning that someone suddenly understands something or remembers something.
EXAMPLE
Als sie seinen Namen nannte, hat es bei mir geklingelt und ich wusste, woher ich ihn kannte.
When she mentioned his name, it rang a bell and I knew where I knew him from.
in den Ohren klingeln
to ring in one's ears
To perceive a persistent noise in the ear, often after loud noise or with tinnitus.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem lauten Konzert hat es mir die ganze Nacht in den Ohren geklingelt.
After the loud concert, my ears rang all night.
Usage tips
Context clue: subject
The subject of the sentence reveals the meaning. If it is a device (e.g. alarm clock, phone), it is about a sound. If it is a person, they are pressing a bell. If it is 'es' (it), it is usually an idiom.
EXAMPLE
Mein Wecker klingelt jeden Morgen um sechs Uhr.
My alarm clock rings every morning at six.
Typical preposition
When referring to a doorbell, the preposition 'an' is often used with the dative to specify the place. But you can also simply say 'klingeln' (to ring).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte an der Tür klingeln?
Can you please ring the doorbell?
Fixed expression
The idiom 'es klingelt bei jemandem' (it rings a bell for someone) has a fixed structure. The 'jemand' (someone) is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Moment, jetzt klingelt es bei mir! Ich weiß, was du meinst.
Wait, now it rings a bell! I know what you mean.
Dative construction
In the expression 'in den Ohren klingeln' (to ring in one's ears), the person who hears the noise is in the dative. The subject is 'es' (it).
EXAMPLE
Die Musik war so laut, dass mir danach die Ohren geklingelt haben.
The music was so loud that my ears rang afterward.
Compare with
klingeln vs läuten
to ring
With a doorbell, both klingeln and läuten are possible, although usage varies by region. Klingeln most commonly refers to pressing the doorbell; läuten focuses more on the bell or signal sound produced. For church bells, läuten is the usual choice.
klingeln
Der Besucher klingelt an der Haustür.
The visitor rings the doorbell.
läuten
Als der Besucher den Knopf drückt, läutet die Türklingel im Flur.
When the visitor presses the button, the doorbell rings in the hallway.
In real life
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