lenken
to steer
To determine and control the direction of a vehicle (e.g., car, bicycle) with a steering wheel or handlebars.
EXAMPLE
Er lernte schon mit 16, ein Auto sicher zu lenken.
He learned to steer a car safely when he was just 16.
lenken
to steer / guide
lenken – lenkte – hat gelenkt
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Meanings
lenken
to direct
To guide or influence something abstract, such as a conversation, attention, or fate, in a particular direction.
EXAMPLE
Die Lehrerin lenkte die Aufmerksamkeit der Schüler auf das neue Thema.
The teacher directed the students' attention to the new topic.
lenken
to lead
To lead an organization, a company, or a country and determine its development and course.
EXAMPLE
Der Kanzler lenkt die Geschicke des Landes.
The chancellor leads the fate of the country.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry lenken, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | lenke |
|---|---|
| du | lenkst |
| er/sie/es | lenkt |
| wir | lenken |
| ihr | lenkt |
| sie | lenken |
Simple past
| ich | lenkte |
|---|---|
| du | lenktest |
| er/sie/es | lenkte |
| wir | lenkten |
| ihr | lenktet |
| sie | lenkten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe gelenkt |
|---|---|
| du | hast gelenkt |
| er/sie/es | hat gelenkt |
| wir | haben gelenkt |
| ihr | habt gelenkt |
| sie | haben gelenkt |
Commands
| du | lenk! lenke! |
|---|---|
| ihr | lenkt! |
| Sie | lenken Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte gelenkt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest gelenkt |
| er/sie/es | hatte gelenkt |
| wir | hatten gelenkt |
| ihr | hattet gelenkt |
| sie | hatten gelenkt |
Future
| ich | werde lenken |
|---|---|
| du | wirst lenken |
| er/sie/es | wird lenken |
| wir | werden lenken |
| ihr | werdet lenken |
| sie | werden lenken |
Subjunctive I
| ich | lenke |
|---|---|
| du | lenkest |
| er/sie/es | lenke |
| wir | lenken |
| ihr | lenket |
| sie | lenken |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | lenkte |
|---|---|
| du | lenktest |
| er/sie/es | lenkte |
| wir | lenkten |
| ihr | lenktet |
| sie | lenkten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | lenken |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu lenken |
| present participle | lenkend |
| past participle | gelenkt |
Usage tips
Context clue: the object
You can recognize the meaning of 'lenken' (to steer/direct) from the object. If it is about a vehicle (car, bicycle), the literal meaning is intended. With abstract nouns (attention, conversation), the verb is used figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrer konnte den Bus nicht mehr lenken.
The driver could no longer steer the bus.
Sie versuchte, das Gespräch auf ein anderes Thema zu lenken.
She tried to steer the conversation to another topic.
Structure with 'auf'
In the figurative meaning, 'lenken' (to direct) is often used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. The structure is: [etwas] auf [jemanden/etwas] lenken ([to direct something] toward [someone/something]).
EXAMPLE
Er lenkte den Verdacht geschickt auf seinen Kollegen.
He skillfully directed suspicion toward his colleague.
Leading and guiding
When it is about leading an organization or a country, 'lenken' (to lead/guide) is often combined with words like 'die Geschicke' (the fortunes/fate), 'das Schicksal' (fate), or 'ein Unternehmen' (a company).
EXAMPLE
Die neue Geschäftsführerin soll die Firma aus der Krise lenken.
The new managing director is supposed to steer the company out of the crisis.
Compare with
lenken vs fahren
to drive / ride
Fahren covers the entire process of moving and operating a vehicle. Lenken refers more precisely to determining its direction. Use fahren for the activity of being the driver; when the focus is especially on changing direction with the steering wheel, lenken is more appropriate.
lenken
Paul lenkt das Auto vorsichtig um die enge Kurve.
Paul carefully steers the car around the tight bend.
fahren
Paul fährt das Auto vorsichtig durch die enge Straße.
Paul is driving the car carefully through the narrow street.
In real life
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