rumhängen
to hang around
Informal for spending time idly or without a specific goal, often together with others.
EXAMPLE
Die Jugendlichen hängen nach der Schule oft im Park rum.
After school, the teenagers often hang around in the park.
rumhängen
to hang around
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Meanings
rumhängen
to hang down
Informal for hanging down limply or messily. Refers to objects, clothing, or body parts.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Tag ließ er die Schultern einfach nur rumhängen.
After the long day, he just let his shoulders hang down.
Usage tips
Word structure and register
'Rumhängen' is the colloquial short form of the separable verb 'herumhängen' (to hang around / hang down). The prefix 'rum-' always signals informal, spoken usage.
EXAMPLE
Was habt ihr am Wochenende gemacht? – Nicht viel, wir haben nur zu Hause rumgehangen.
What did you do on the weekend? — Not much, we just hung around at home.
Separable verb
As a separable verb, the prefix 'rum' stands at the end in a main clause. In a subordinate clause or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er hängt oft mit seinen Freunden im Einkaufszentrum rum.
He often hangs around at the mall with his friends.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the subject: When a person 'rumhängt', they spend time idly. When an object or body part 'rumhängt', it hangs down limply or messily.
EXAMPLE
Die Teenager hängen jeden Nachmittag im Park rum.
The teenagers hang around in the park every afternoon.
Typical collocations
When people 'rumhängen' (hang around), it often happens in certain places or with certain people. Typical combinations are 'mit Freunden rumhängen' (to hang around with friends), 'im Park rumhängen' (to hang around in the park), or 'zu Hause rumhängen' (to hang around at home).
EXAMPLE
Lass uns heute Abend nicht ausgehen, sondern einfach bei mir rumhängen und einen Film schauen.
Let's not go out tonight, but just hang around at my place and watch a movie.
Compare with
rumhängen vs abhängen
to depend / to hang out / to take down
Abhängen and rumhängen can both colloquially mean spending time without a specific aim. “Abhängen” often suggests relaxing or spending time together, while “rumhängen” emphasizes idly lingering more strongly. Choose “rumhängen” when simply hanging around without a goal is the main focus.
rumhängen
Am Samstag hängen wir ohne Plan bei meiner Schwester rum.
On Saturday, we hung around at my sister’s place without a plan.
abhängen
Am Samstag hängen wir entspannt bei meiner Schwester ab.
On Saturday, we relaxed and hung out at my sister’s place.
In real life
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