schwärmen für
to be crazy about
To feel great enthusiasm or a secret crush for someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Als Jugendliche hat sie für einen bekannten Schauspieler geschwärmt.
As a teenager, she was crazy about a famous actor.
schwärmen
to rave / swarm
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Meanings
schwärmen
to swarm
To move in a large swarm, which is typical of insects like bees or of birds.
EXAMPLE
Ein Teil des Bienenvolks ist geschwärmt, um eine neue Königin zu suchen.
Part of the bee colony swarmed to look for a new queen.
schwärmen
to swarm out
To stream to a place, or away from it, in large numbers and often with enthusiasm.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Konzert schwärmten die Besucher in alle Richtungen aus.
After the concert, the visitors swarmed out in all directions.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'schwärmen' is closely related to the noun 'der Schwarm' (the swarm). A 'Schwarm' is a large group of animals (e.g., bees, fish) or also people moving together.
EXAMPLE
Ein großer Schwarm Vögel flog über den Himmel.
A large flock of birds flew across the sky.
Distinguishing meanings
The preposition 'für' signals the meaning 'to be enthusiastic about'. When the subject is insects or birds, it refers to movement in a swarm. When people are the subject, it often means 'to stream somewhere in large numbers'.
EXAMPLE
Sie schwärmt für italienische Opern.
She is crazy about Italian operas.
Correct preposition
If you want to express that someone is enthusiastic about a person or thing, always use the preposition 'für' followed by the accusative. A different preposition is wrong here.
EXAMPLE
Er schwärmt schon seit Wochen für seine neue Kollegin.
He has been crazy about his new colleague for weeks.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'to move in large numbers', 'schwärmen' is often combined with the separable verb 'ausschwärmen' (to swarm out) or with directional phrases like 'in die Stadt' (into the city) or 'in alle Richtungen' (in all directions).
EXAMPLE
Am ersten sonnigen Tag schwärmen die Menschen in die Parks.
On the first sunny day, people swarm into the parks.
Compare with
schwärmen vs strömen
to stream / pour
Strömen and schwärmen can both describe many people moving toward a place. Strömen emphasizes a continuous, directed flow of people. Schwärmen presents the movement more as swarm-like and often enthusiastic. Use strömen for a steady stream of visitors and schwärmen for a lively, enthusiastic crowd.
schwärmen
Nach der Öffnung schwärmten begeisterte Fans in großer Zahl ins Stadion.
After the gates opened, large numbers of enthusiastic fans swarmed into the stadium.
strömen
Nach der Öffnung strömten die Besucher kontinuierlich durch die Tore ins Stadion.
After the gates opened, visitors streamed continuously into the stadium.
In real life
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