toben
to romp
To move around, play, or run about in a wild, loud, and unrestrained way. Often used for children or animals.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder toben nach der Schule im Garten.
The children romp around in the garden after school.
toben
to romp / rage
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Meanings
toben
to rage
To be very angry and express this loudly and violently.
EXAMPLE
Er tobte vor Wut, als er von der Entscheidung erfuhr.
He raged with anger when he found out about the decision.
toben
to rage
Describes forces of nature such as storms or the sea that rage with great force and intensity.
EXAMPLE
Draußen tobt ein heftiger Sturm mit Regen und Gewitter.
Outside, a fierce storm is raging with rain and thunder.
toben
to rage
Describes a dispute, fight, or debate that is being carried out very intensely and emotionally.
EXAMPLE
Im Parlament tobt ein Streit über das neue Gesetz.
A dispute over the new law is raging in parliament.
Usage tips
The core meaning
The verb 'toben' (to romp/rage) always describes a form of wild, loud, and uncontrolled energy. This energy can be playful (children), emotional (anger), natural (storm), or metaphorical (dispute).
EXAMPLE
Die Fans tobten vor Begeisterung im Stadion.
The fans went wild with excitement in the stadium.
Context clue: play
When the subject is children, animals, or a group of people in a playful context, 'toben' means to move around loudly and wildly. Typical places for this are the garden, the playground, or the children's room.
EXAMPLE
Die Welpen toben den ganzen Tag durch die Wohnung.
The puppies romp through the apartment all day.
Typical collocation: anger
To express extreme anger, 'toben' is very often used with the preposition 'vor' (with/from). The fixed phrase is 'vor Wut toben' (to rage with anger).
EXAMPLE
Mein Chef tobte vor Wut, als er den Fehler bemerkte.
My boss raged with anger when he noticed the mistake.
Context clue: nature
In connection with forces of nature such as 'Sturm' (storm), 'Meer' (sea), or 'Gewitter' (thunderstorm), 'toben' is used metaphorically. It describes these forces raging with great intensity.
EXAMPLE
Das Meer tobte und die Wellen schlugen gegen die Felsen.
The sea was raging, and the waves were crashing against the rocks.
Context clue: conflict
When the subject is an abstract conflict, such as 'Streit' (dispute), 'Debatte' (debate), or 'Kampf' (fight), 'toben' means that it is being carried out very intensely and emotionally.
EXAMPLE
Seit Wochen tobt eine Debatte über die neuen Umweltgesetze.
A debate about the new environmental laws has been raging for weeks.
Compare with
toben vs turnen
to do gymnastics
Turnen and toben can both describe a child moving around playfully. Turnen emphasizes skillful climbing, jumping, or other controlled movements; toben refers to wild, noisy, and uninhibited play. Use turnen when the child’s skill is noticeable, and toben for exuberant running around.
toben
Das Kind tobte laut mit seinem Bruder über die Wiese im Garten.
The child ran wild and noisily across the lawn with his brother.
turnen
Das Kind turnte geschickt über die niedrige Kletterstange im Garten.
The child skillfully clambered over the low climbing bar in the garden.
In real life
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