krönen
to crown
To place a crown on someone in a ceremonial act and thereby make him or her king or queen.
EXAMPLE
Im Jahr 800 wurde Karl der Große zum Kaiser gekrönt.
In the year 800, Charlemagne was crowned emperor.
krönen
to crown
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Meanings
krönen
to crown
To form the perfect or successful conclusion to something; to be the highlight of something.
EXAMPLE
Ein spektakuläres Feuerwerk krönte die Feierlichkeiten zum Jahresende.
A spectacular fireworks display crowned the year-end celebrations.
krönen
to top
To finish off or enhance a dish with a special ingredient as a garnish.
EXAMPLE
Ein Klecks Schlagsahne krönt den warmen Apfelkuchen.
A dollop of whipped cream tops the warm apple cake.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'krönen' (to crown) derives directly from the noun 'die Krone' (the crown). All meanings, including the figurative ones, relate to the idea of placing something at the top or giving it a special distinction.
EXAMPLE
Der König trug eine goldene Krone.
The king wore a golden crown.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'krönen' (to crown) from the object. If a person is crowned, it refers to the ceremony. If an abstract concept (success, career) is crowned, it is the high point. If a dish is crowned, it refers to the garnish.
EXAMPLE
Man krönte den Prinzen zum neuen König.
They crowned the prince the new king.
Sentence structure
In the literal meaning, the construction 'jemanden (accusative) zu etwas (dative) krönen' (to crown someone as something) is used to name the person's new title.
EXAMPLE
Die Kirche krönte ihn zum Kaiser.
The church crowned him emperor.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'krönen' (to crown) is often used with abstract nouns such as 'der Erfolg' (success), 'die Karriere' (career), 'der Abend' (evening), or 'das Werk' (work).
EXAMPLE
Ein gemeinsames Abendessen krönte den erfolgreichen Tag.
A shared dinner crowned the successful day.
Compare with
krönen vs vollenden
to complete
Vollenden means bringing a piece of work or a task fully to completion. Krönen can describe the same kind of conclusion, but additionally emphasizes that it forms the high point or enhances the overall effect. Use vollenden for simply finishing something and krönen when the conclusion seems particularly successful.
krönen
Mit dem letzten Kapitel konnte die Autorin ihren Roman besonders eindrucksvoll krönen.
With the final chapter, the author was able to crown her novel in particularly impressive fashion.
vollenden
Mit dem letzten Kapitel konnte die Autorin ihren Roman endlich vollenden.
With the final chapter, the author was finally able to complete her novel.
In real life
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