01
neigen zu
to tend to
To have a tendency or disposition to do something specific or to show a certain quality.
example
Bei Stress neige ich dazu, zu viel Schokolade zu essen.
When I'm stressed, I tend to eat too much chocolate.
neigen
to tend / to tilt
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure with 'zu'
To express a tendency, 'neigen' (to tend) is used with the preposition 'zu' (to). If a noun follows, it is in the dative. If an action follows, you use the construction 'dazu neigen, etwas zu tun' (to tend to do something).
EXAMPLE
Er neigt zu Übertreibungen.
He tends to exaggerate.
Fixed expression
The expression 'sich dem Ende neigen' (to draw to a close) is fixed. It always requires the reflexive pronoun 'sich' and the dative object 'dem Ende'. The subject is the thing that will soon end.
EXAMPLE
Der Sommer neigt sich langsam dem Ende zu.
Summer is slowly drawing to a close.
Typical objects
In the meaning 'etwas beugen' (to bend something), 'neigen' (to tilt) is almost always used with body parts as the object. The most common combinations are 'den Kopf neigen' (to tilt one's head) and 'den Oberkörper neigen' (to bend one's upper body).
EXAMPLE
Sie neigte den Kopf und hörte aufmerksam zu.
She tilted her head and listened attentively.
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'sich verbeugen' (to bow), the verb is always reflexive ('sich neigen'). Often, 'vor' plus the dative is used to indicate whom someone is bowing to.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Konzert neigten sich die Musiker vor dem Publikum.
After the concert, the musicians bowed before the audience.
Compare with
neigen vs enden
to end
'enden' and 'sich dem Ende neigen' (to draw to a close) both describe that something will not continue much longer. 'enden' directly names the conclusion: something is then over. 'sich dem Ende neigen' means that something is not quite over yet, but will end soon. This fixed expression sounds somewhat calmer and often a little more elevated than the simple 'enden'. Learners may confuse them because both talk about the end. The important point is: 'enden' states the end itself, while 'sich dem Ende neigen' describes the time shortly before it.
neigen
Der Sommer neigt sich langsam dem Ende.
The summer is slowly drawing to a close.
enden
Die Besprechung endet um fünf Uhr.
The meeting ends at five o'clock.
In real life
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