rasten
to rest
To take a break in order to rest, especially during a journey, hike, or another strenuous activity.
EXAMPLE
Nach zwei Stunden Fahrt hielten wir an, um kurz zu rasten.
After two hours of driving, we stopped to rest briefly.
rasten
to rest / lose it
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Meanings
rasten
to lose it
(colloquial) To lose control and become very angry or upset. Usually the verb 'ausrasten' (to freak out / lose it) is used, but 'rasten' alone can also have this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Als er hörte, dass sein Flug gestrichen wurde, ist er am Schalter fast gerastet.
When he heard that his flight had been canceled, he almost lost it at the counter.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'rasten' belongs to the noun 'die Rast', which means 'die Pause' (the break) or 'die Ruhepause' (the rest break). So someone who 'rastet' takes a rest break.
EXAMPLE
Auf der langen Wanderung legten wir eine Rast ein.
On the long hike, we took a rest break.
Different auxiliary verb
The verb forms the perfect tense with different auxiliary verbs depending on the meaning. For 'eine Pause machen' (to take a break), you use 'haben'; for 'die Beherrschung verlieren' (to lose control), you use 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben auf dem Gipfel des Berges gerastet.
We rested at the top of the mountain.
Context: travel and effort
The meaning 'eine Pause machen' (to take a break) is almost always used in the context of travel, hiking, or physical exertion.
EXAMPLE
Die LKW-Fahrer müssen alle paar Stunden rasten.
Truck drivers have to rest every few hours.
Register: colloquial
The meaning 'die Beherrschung verlieren' (to lose control) is colloquial. It describes very strong, sudden, and often loud anger.
EXAMPLE
Als sein Computer abstürzte, ist er am Schreibtisch völlig gerastet.
When his computer crashed, he completely lost it at his desk.
Compare with
rasten vs Rasen
lawn
Der Rasen is a noun for an area with short, dense grass. Rasten is a verb meaning to take a break during a strenuous activity. Rasen is used for the place where the break takes place; rasten is used for the action.
rasten
Die Wanderer rasten während ihrer Pause auf der Wiese im Park.
The hikers rest on the grass in the park during their break.
Rasen
Der Rasen im Park bietet den Wanderern einen guten Platz für ihre Pause.
The lawn in the park offers the hikers a good place to take their break.
In real life
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