01
krabbeln
to crawl
To move on all fours, as babies do before they learn to walk.
example
Unser Sohn hat mit acht Monaten angefangen zu krabbeln.
Our son started crawling at eight months.
krabbeln
to crawl
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Perfect tense with 'sein'
As a verb of movement, 'krabbeln' (to crawl) forms the perfect tense with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have). This applies to all meanings of the word.
EXAMPLE
Das Baby ist schon durch das ganze Wohnzimmer gekrabbelt.
The baby has already crawled through the whole living room.
Context clue
The exact meaning of 'krabbeln' (to crawl) depends strongly on the subject of the sentence. If it is a baby, it means moving on all fours. With insects, it means their typical movement.
EXAMPLE
Mein kleiner Neffe kann schon schneller krabbeln als ich laufen kann.
My little nephew can already crawl faster than I can walk.
Describing a feeling
When 'krabbeln' describes an itchy feeling, the subject is often an object, such as an item of clothing. It can also be used impersonally with 'es' (it), with the person feeling it in the dative case.
EXAMPLE
Dieser neue Schal krabbelt an meinem Hals.
This new scarf itches against my neck.
Compare with
krabbeln vs vier
four
'auf allen vieren' (on all fours) and 'krabbeln' both fit a movement using hands and knees. 'auf allen vieren' mainly describes the body position. 'krabbeln' is the appropriate verb when especially a baby or small child moves this way. So you can say that a baby 'krabbelt'; while doing so, it is 'auf allen vieren'. The expressions can be confused because they often show the same situation. However, 'krabbeln' sounds more natural when the movement is the focus.
krabbeln
Das Baby krabbelt schon sicher vom Teppich bis zur Tür.
The baby is already crawling confidently from the rug to the door.
vier
Beim Spielen kroch der Junge auf allen vieren durch das Zimmer.
While playing, the boy crawled through the room on all fours.
In real life
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