pendeln
to commute
To regularly travel a route between one's home and one's place of work or education.
EXAMPLE
Sie muss jeden Tag eine Stunde mit dem Zug zur Arbeit pendeln.
She has to commute to work by train for an hour every day.
pendeln
to commute / swing
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Meanings
pendeln
to swing
To move back and forth evenly around a fixed point.
EXAMPLE
Das Pendel der alten Standuhr schwingt langsam hin und her.
The pendulum of the old grandfather clock swings slowly back and forth.
pendeln
to fluctuate
To swing or vary between two extremes, values, or states.
EXAMPLE
Die Stimmung der Mannschaft pendelte zwischen Hoffnung und Enttäuschung.
The team's mood fluctuated between hope and disappointment.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'pendeln' (to commute / swing) is closely related to the noun 'das Pendel' (pendulum). The basic idea of a regular back-and-forth movement connects all meanings of the word.
EXAMPLE
Die Kugel pendelte an einem langen Seil hin und her.
The ball swung back and forth on a long rope.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear: If it is about people and the way to work, 'pendeln' means commuting (m01). If it is about objects, it means swinging (m02). If it is about feelings or values, it means fluctuating (m03).
EXAMPLE
Viele Studenten pendeln täglich zur Universität.
Many students commute to the university every day.
Sentence structure for commuting
When talking about commuting to work, the structure 'pendeln zwischen [Ort A] und [Ort B]' (to commute between [place A] and [place B]) is often used. Giving the direction with 'von ... nach' (from ... to) or 'zu' (to) is also common.
EXAMPLE
Er pendelt jeden Tag zwischen Berlin und Potsdam.
He commutes between Berlin and Potsdam every day.
Abstract use
For the abstract meaning, too, the structure 'pendeln zwischen [Zustand A] und [Zustand B]' (to fluctuate between [state A] and [state B]) is often used. This describes a fluctuation between two abstract poles.
EXAMPLE
Die Aktienkurse pendelten den ganzen Tag zwischen Gewinnen und Verlusten.
Stock prices fluctuated between gains and losses all day.
Compare with
pendeln vs schwingen
to swing
Schwingen and pendeln both describe a regular back-and-forth movement. Schwingen usually emphasizes movement around a resting position, while pendeln particularly highlights movement between two points or from a fixed attachment. Use schwingen for general oscillation and pendeln for movement along a fixed path.
pendeln
Der Ball pendelt an der Schnur regelmäßig zwischen den beiden Seiten.
The ball swings regularly between the two sides on the string.
schwingen
Die Hängelampe schwingt nach dem Stoß noch einige Sekunden um ihre Ruhelage.
The hanging lamp continued to swing around its resting position for a few seconds after being pushed.
In real life
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