rundherum
around
In a circle around something; on all sides.
EXAMPLE
Um den See führt ein Weg rundherum.
There is a path all the way around the lake.
rundherum
around / completely
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Meanings
rundherum
completely
Completely, in every respect; without exception.
EXAMPLE
Es war ein rundherum gelungener Abend.
It was a completely successful evening.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Rundherum' is made up of 'rund' (round) and 'herum' (around). It reinforces the idea that something forms a complete circle or is considered from all sides.
EXAMPLE
Wir sind einmal rundherum um das Schloss gelaufen.
We walked once all the way around the castle.
Context clue
The spatial meaning ('in a circle') is often recognized by verbs of movement or position, such as 'gehen' (to go/walk), 'fahren' (to drive/go), or 'stehen' (to stand). The figurative meaning ('completely') usually appears with adjectives, such as 'zufrieden' (satisfied) or 'glücklich' (happy), or nouns that describe an event.
EXAMPLE
Rundherum standen hohe Bäume.
Tall trees stood all around.
Typical combinations
In the meaning 'völlig' (completely), 'rundherum' is often combined with positive adjectives: 'rundherum zufrieden' (completely satisfied), 'rundherum glücklich' (completely happy), or in the phrase 'ein rundherum gelungener Tag' (a completely successful day).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Urlaub fühlte sie sich rundherum erholt.
After the vacation, she felt completely rested.
Compare with
rundherum vs rundum
completely / all around
Rundum and rundherum can both express that something is located on all sides around something else. Rundherum is the more vivid spatial description of the surrounding area, while rundum is also used more generally and in fixed expressions. Rundherum often sounds especially natural for a specific surrounding area; rundum is also possible.
rundherum
Rundherum um den See stehen hohe Bäume.
Tall trees stand all around the lake.
rundum
Rundum den See stehen hohe Bäume.
Tall trees stand all around the lake.
In real life
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