saugen
to vacuum
To remove dust and dirt from a surface with a vacuum cleaner.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss am Wochenende unbedingt die Wohnung saugen.
I really have to vacuum the apartment this weekend.
saugen
to vacuum / to suck
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Meanings
saugen
to suck
To draw liquid or air into oneself through a narrow opening, usually the mouth.
EXAMPLE
Das Baby saugt an der Flasche.
The baby is sucking on the bottle.
sich etwas aus den Fingern saugen
to make up
To invent a story, an excuse, or information that is not true.
EXAMPLE
Diese Erklärung hast du dir doch nur aus den Fingern gesogen, oder?
You just made up that explanation out of thin air, didn't you?
sich saugen
to suction itself
To hold onto a surface through negative pressure.
EXAMPLE
Der Tintenfisch saugte sich an der Glasscheibe des Aquariums fest.
The octopus suctioned itself firmly to the glass pane of the aquarium.
Usage tips
Two past participle forms
The verb 'saugen' (to vacuum / to suck) has two past participle forms, and their use depends on the meaning. For vacuuming, the weak form 'gesaugt' is used. In all other meanings, the strong form 'gesogen' is used.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe gestern die ganze Wohnung gesaugt.
I vacuumed the whole apartment yesterday.
Context: vacuuming
When 'saugen' (to vacuum) is used without an object or only with a location, it almost always means 'Staub saugen' (to vacuum). The word 'Staub' (dust) is often left out in everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte im Wohnzimmer saugen?
Could you please vacuum in the living room?
Preposition 'an'
When a person or animal sucks on something, the preposition 'an' is used with the dative. Typical phrases are 'an einem Strohhalm saugen' (to suck on a straw) or 'am Daumen saugen' (to suck one's thumb).
EXAMPLE
Der Kolibri saugt Nektar an der Blüte.
The hummingbird sucks nectar from the flower.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich etwas aus den Fingern saugen' (to make something up out of thin air) is fixed. The person who invents something is in the dative ('sich'), and the invented information is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Diese Ausrede hast du dir doch komplett aus den Fingern gesogen.
You completely made up that excuse out of thin air.
Reflexive with 'an'
In the meaning 'sich festsaugen' (to suction oneself firmly), the verb is used reflexively with the preposition 'an' and a dative or accusative object to name the surface.
EXAMPLE
Der Oktopus kann sich mit seinen Armen an Felsen saugen.
The octopus can suction itself to rocks with its arms.
Compare with
saugen vs ziehen
to pull / move
When smoking, both words can describe drawing in smoke. „Saugen“ generally refers to drawing air or liquid in through a narrow opening, while „ziehen“ is more idiomatic in the fixed expression „an einer Zigarette ziehen“ (to take a drag on a cigarette). „Ziehen“ is therefore usually used for this action.
saugen
Das Kind saugte vorsichtig an der Trinkhalmöffnung, um den Saft zu trinken.
The child carefully sucked on the end of the straw to drink the juice.
ziehen
Er zog nach dem Essen an seiner Zigarette und blies den Rauch langsam aus.
After dinner, he took a drag on his cigarette and slowly blew out the smoke.
In real life
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