knebeln
to gag
To put a gag in someone's mouth so that they cannot speak.
EXAMPLE
Die Entführer knebelten den Wachmann und fesselten ihn.
The kidnappers gagged the guard and tied him up.
knebeln
to gag
knebeln – knebelte – hat geknebelt
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Meanings
knebeln
to gag
To prevent someone from expressing their opinion freely or from moving and acting freely.
EXAMPLE
Die Zensur knebelt die unabhängige Presse.
Censorship gags the independent press.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry knebeln, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | kneble knebele |
|---|---|
| du | knebelst |
| er/sie/es | knebelt |
| wir | knebeln |
| ihr | knebelt |
| sie | knebeln |
Simple past
| ich | knebelte |
|---|---|
| du | knebeltest |
| er/sie/es | knebelte |
| wir | knebelten |
| ihr | knebeltet |
| sie | knebelten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe geknebelt |
|---|---|
| du | hast geknebelt |
| er/sie/es | hat geknebelt |
| wir | haben geknebelt |
| ihr | habt geknebelt |
| sie | haben geknebelt |
Commands
| du | knebele! kneble!, knebel! |
|---|---|
| ihr | knebelt! |
| Sie | knebeln Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte geknebelt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest geknebelt |
| er/sie/es | hatte geknebelt |
| wir | hatten geknebelt |
| ihr | hattet geknebelt |
| sie | hatten geknebelt |
Future
| ich | werde knebeln |
|---|---|
| du | wirst knebeln |
| er/sie/es | wird knebeln |
| wir | werden knebeln |
| ihr | werdet knebeln |
| sie | werden knebeln |
Subjunctive I
| ich | knebele kneble |
|---|---|
| du | knebelst kneblest |
| er/sie/es | knebele kneble |
| wir | knebeln |
| ihr | knebelt kneblet |
| sie | knebeln |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | knebelte |
|---|---|
| du | knebeltest |
| er/sie/es | knebelte |
| wir | knebelten |
| ihr | knebeltet |
| sie | knebelten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | knebeln |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu knebeln |
| present participle | knebelnd |
| past participle | geknebelt |
Usage tips
Word family
'Knebeln' (to gag) is derived from 'Knebel' (gag), an object that can be put in someone's mouth. This connection explains the shift from the literal to the figurative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Täter knebelten den Fahrer mit einem Tuch.
The perpetrators gagged the driver with a cloth.
Accusative object
'Knebeln' (to gag) normally takes a person or group as its accusative object. The person or group being gagged is attached directly to the verb without a preposition.
EXAMPLE
Die Räuber knebelten alle Angestellten der Bank.
The robbers gagged all the bank employees.
Typical collocation
In its literal meaning, 'knebeln' (to gag) often occurs alongside actions that restrain or immobilize a person. It is particularly common in combination with 'fesseln' (to tie up).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei fand das Opfer gefesselt und geknebelt im Keller.
The police found the victim bound and gagged in the basement.
Political context
The figurative meaning frequently appears in political, journalistic, or social commentary. Typical subjects include censorship, laws, or regulations; typical objects include the press, the opposition, or businesses.
EXAMPLE
Strenge Vorschriften knebeln kleine Unternehmen und bremsen ihre Entwicklung.
Strict regulations stifle small businesses and hold back their development.
In real life
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