rangeln
to wrestle / roughhouse
To physically wrestle or play-fight with someone, usually without intending to cause serious injury.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Jungen rangeln auf dem Teppich.
The two boys are wrestling on the carpet.
rangeln
to wrestle / roughhouse
rangeln – rangelte – hat gerangelt
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Meanings
um etwas rangeln
to vie for something
To make an effort or compete with others to get or achieve something.
EXAMPLE
Mehrere Unternehmen rangeln um den großen Auftrag.
Several companies are vying for the major contract.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry rangeln, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | rangle rangele |
|---|---|
| du | rangelst |
| er/sie/es | rangelt |
| wir | rangeln |
| ihr | rangelt |
| sie | rangeln |
Simple past
| ich | rangelte |
|---|---|
| du | rangeltest |
| er/sie/es | rangelte |
| wir | rangelten |
| ihr | rangeltet |
| sie | rangelten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe gerangelt |
|---|---|
| du | hast gerangelt |
| er/sie/es | hat gerangelt |
| wir | haben gerangelt |
| ihr | habt gerangelt |
| sie | haben gerangelt |
Commands
| du | rangele! rangle!, rangel! |
|---|---|
| ihr | rangelt! |
| Sie | rangeln Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte gerangelt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest gerangelt |
| er/sie/es | hatte gerangelt |
| wir | hatten gerangelt |
| ihr | hattet gerangelt |
| sie | hatten gerangelt |
Future
| ich | werde rangeln |
|---|---|
| du | wirst rangeln |
| er/sie/es | wird rangeln |
| wir | werden rangeln |
| ihr | werdet rangeln |
| sie | werden rangeln |
Subjunctive I
| ich | rangele rangle |
|---|---|
| du | rangelst ranglest |
| er/sie/es | rangele rangle |
| wir | rangeln |
| ihr | rangelt ranglet |
| sie | rangeln |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | rangelte |
|---|---|
| du | rangeltest |
| er/sie/es | rangelte |
| wir | rangelten |
| ihr | rangeltet |
| sie | rangelten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | rangeln |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu rangeln |
| present participle | rangelnd |
| past participle | gerangelt |
Usage tips
With the dative
When referring to physical roughhousing, the other person is usually introduced with 'mit' (with) and the dative. An expression of place often describes where the two people are wrestling.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschwister rangeln miteinander auf dem Sofa.
The siblings are roughhousing on the sofa.
For something
In its figurative meaning, 'rangeln' typically takes 'um' (for) with the accusative. This is followed by the goal of the competition, such as a contract, a position, or influence.
EXAMPLE
Die Bewerber rangeln um den letzten freien Ausbildungsplatz.
The applicants are vying for the last available apprenticeship position.
Context clue
When two people are physically wrestling with each other, the literal meaning is intended. When 'rangeln' is followed by a goal introduced with 'um' (for), such as a contract, votes, or a position, it refers to a competition.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Kinder rangeln im Garten miteinander.
The two children are roughhousing together in the garden.
Mehrere Parteien rangeln um die Stimmen der unentschlossenen Wähler.
Several parties are vying for the votes of undecided voters.
In real life
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