01
rollen
to roll
To move along a surface by turning around one's own axis, like a ball or a wheel.
example
Der Ball rollte langsam den Hügel hinunter.
The ball rolled slowly down the hill.
rollen
to roll
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Auxiliary verb: haben or sein?
The perfect tense of 'rollen' (to roll) is formed with 'sein' when movement from one place to another is being described. In the other meanings, such as producing a sound or shaping dough, 'haben' is used.
EXAMPLE
Der Apfel ist vom Tisch gerollt.
The apple rolled off the table.
Indicating direction
When 'rollen' (to roll) describes movement, the direction is often indicated by a preposition with the accusative (e.g. 'über die Straße' — across the street) or an adverb (e.g. 'bergab' — downhill).
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, ein Stein rollt den Hang hinunter!
Careful, a stone is rolling down the slope!
Fixed expression
The idiom 'mit den Augen rollen' (to roll one's eyes) is a fixed unit. It nonverbally expresses annoyance, boredom, or disbelief.
EXAMPLE
Jedes Mal, wenn ihr Chef eine Besprechung ankündigt, rollt sie mit den Augen.
Every time her boss announces a meeting, she rolls her eyes.
Aviation terminology
In the meaning 'sich am Boden bewegen' (to move on the ground), 'rollen' (to taxi) is a technical term from aviation. It describes the movement of an airplane on the taxiway.
EXAMPLE
Das Flugzeug rollt zur Startbahn.
The airplane is taxiing to the runway.
Use with prefixes
To make the action of shaping more precise, 'rollen' (to roll) is often combined with separable prefixes. 'Ausrollen' means to make something flat, while 'zusammenrollen' means to form something into a roll.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir helfen, den Teppich zusammenzurollen?
Can you help me roll up the carpet?
Context clue: sounds
When 'rollen' (to rumble) describes a sound, the subject is almost always the source of a deep, vibrating tone. The most common subjects are 'der Donner' (the thunder) or 'die Trommeln' (the drums).
EXAMPLE
Die Trommeln rollten zum Auftakt der Zeremonie.
The drums rumbled at the beginning of the ceremony.
Compare with
rollen vs drehen
to turn / film
'drehen' and 'rollen' can both have to do with movement around one's own axis. 'drehen' mainly describes the circular movement itself, even if the object stays in one place. 'rollen' is used when something moves forward along a surface through this rotating movement, like a ball or a wheel. 'rollen' can also mean shaping something into a round form, for example dough. With cigarettes, however, people often say 'eine Zigarette drehen' (to roll a cigarette). The words can be confusing because rolling always involves turning as well. The important point is: 'drehen' emphasizes rotation, while 'rollen' usually emphasizes forward movement or shaping.
rollen
Der Ball rollt langsam unter den Tisch.
The ball slowly rolls under the table.
drehen
Sie dreht den Stuhl zum Fenster.
She turns the chair toward the window.
In real life
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