radeln
to cycle
To move around by bicycle. It is a common synonym for 'Fahrrad fahren' (to ride a bicycle).
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende radeln wir oft am Fluss entlang.
On weekends, we often cycle along the river.
radeln
to cycle
radeln – radelte – hat geradelt
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry radeln, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | radle radele |
|---|---|
| du | radelst |
| er/sie/es | radelt |
| wir | radeln |
| ihr | radelt |
| sie | radeln |
Simple past
| ich | radelte |
|---|---|
| du | radeltest |
| er/sie/es | radelte |
| wir | radelten |
| ihr | radeltet |
| sie | radelten |
Perfect
with sein
| ich | habe geradelt |
|---|---|
| du | hast geradelt |
| er/sie/es | hat geradelt |
| wir | haben geradelt |
| ihr | habt geradelt |
| sie | haben geradelt |
Commands
| du | radele! radle!, radel! |
|---|---|
| ihr | radelt! |
| Sie | radeln Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte geradelt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest geradelt |
| er/sie/es | hatte geradelt |
| wir | hatten geradelt |
| ihr | hattet geradelt |
| sie | hatten geradelt |
Future
| ich | werde radeln |
|---|---|
| du | wirst radeln |
| er/sie/es | wird radeln |
| wir | werden radeln |
| ihr | werdet radeln |
| sie | werden radeln |
Subjunctive I
| ich | radele radle |
|---|---|
| du | radelst radlest |
| er/sie/es | radele radle |
| wir | radeln |
| ihr | radelt radlet |
| sie | radeln |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | radelte |
|---|---|
| du | radeltest |
| er/sie/es | radelte |
| wir | radelten |
| ihr | radeltet |
| sie | radelten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | radeln |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu radeln |
| present participle | radelnd |
| past participle | geradelt |
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb 'radeln' (to cycle) is derived from 'das Rad' (the wheel / bike), a short form for 'das Fahrrad' (bicycle). The ending '-eln' often suggests a repeated or casual activity.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns eine Runde durch den Wald radeln.
Let's cycle through the forest for a bit.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'radeln' (to cycle) describes movement from one place to another, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be). So you say 'ich bin geradelt' (I cycled / I have cycled).
EXAMPLE
Gestern sind wir bis zur nächsten Stadt geradelt.
Yesterday we cycled as far as the next town.
Typical prepositions
'Radeln' (to cycle) is often combined with prepositions that describe a route or destination. Typical phrases are 'durch den Park radeln' (to cycle through the park), 'am See entlang radeln' (to cycle along the lake), or 'zur Uni radeln' (to cycle to university).
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub sind wir jeden Tag am Meer entlang geradelt.
On vacation, we cycled along the sea every day.
Compare with
radeln vs fahren
to drive / ride
Fahren is the general expression for getting around by vehicle and, with a bicycle, usually needs the addition Fahrrad. Radeln directly describes getting around by bicycle. Therefore, in this context, Fahrrad fahren and radeln mean the same thing.
radeln
Bei gutem Wetter radle ich zur Arbeit.
When the weather is nice, I cycle to work.
fahren
Bei gutem Wetter fahre ich mit dem Fahrrad zur Arbeit.
When the weather is nice, I ride my bike to work.
In real life
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