trommeln
to drum
To play an instrument, especially a drum, by striking it to produce rhythms.
EXAMPLE
Die Musiker trommeln einen schnellen Rhythmus.
The musicians drum a fast rhythm.
trommeln
to drum
trommeln – trommelte – hat getrommelt
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Meanings
trommeln
to drum
To strike something repeatedly and usually rhythmically, often with your fingers or hands.
EXAMPLE
Während des Gesprächs trommelte er ungeduldig mit den Fingern auf den Tisch.
During the conversation, he drummed his fingers impatiently on the table.
trommeln
to drum
To produce a loud, regular sound through repeated impacts, especially rain or similar natural phenomena.
EXAMPLE
Im Zelt hörten wir die ganze Nacht den Regen trommeln.
In the tent, we heard the rain drumming all night.
für etwas trommeln
to campaign for
To promote something publicly and emphatically or try to gain support for it.
EXAMPLE
Die Organisation trommelt seit Wochen für mehr Klimaschutz.
The organization has been campaigning for stronger climate action for weeks.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry trommeln, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | trommle trommele |
|---|---|
| du | trommelst |
| er/sie/es | trommelt |
| wir | trommeln |
| ihr | trommelt |
| sie | trommeln |
Simple past
| ich | trommelte |
|---|---|
| du | trommeltest |
| er/sie/es | trommelte |
| wir | trommelten |
| ihr | trommeltet |
| sie | trommelten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe getrommelt |
|---|---|
| du | hast getrommelt |
| er/sie/es | hat getrommelt |
| wir | haben getrommelt |
| ihr | habt getrommelt |
| sie | haben getrommelt |
Commands
| du | trommel! trommele!, trommle! |
|---|---|
| ihr | trommelt! |
| Sie | trommeln Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte getrommelt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest getrommelt |
| er/sie/es | hatte getrommelt |
| wir | hatten getrommelt |
| ihr | hattet getrommelt |
| sie | hatten getrommelt |
Future
| ich | werde trommeln |
|---|---|
| du | wirst trommeln |
| er/sie/es | wird trommeln |
| wir | werden trommeln |
| ihr | werdet trommeln |
| sie | werden trommeln |
Subjunctive I
| ich | trommele trommle |
|---|---|
| du | trommelst trommlest |
| er/sie/es | trommele trommle |
| wir | trommeln |
| ihr | trommelt trommlet |
| sie | trommeln |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | trommelte |
|---|---|
| du | trommeltest |
| er/sie/es | trommelte |
| wir | trommelten |
| ihr | trommeltet |
| sie | trommelten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | trommeln |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu trommeln |
| present participle | trommelnd |
| past participle | getrommelt |
Usage tips
Word family
'trommeln' (to drum) belongs to the same word family as 'die Trommel' (drum). The connection to the drum helps you remember the verb's core idea of rhythmic striking.
EXAMPLE
Schon als Kind wollte er trommeln und gründete später eine Band.
Even as a child, he wanted to drum, and he later started a band.
Typical collocations
When referring to playing music, 'trommeln' (to drum) is often used with 'einen Rhythmus' (a rhythm) or 'auf der Trommel' (on the drum). The instrument can be specified using 'auf' (on) followed by a noun phrase in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Junge trommelt jeden Nachmittag auf seiner alten Trommel.
The boy drums on his old drum every afternoon.
Repeated striking
When describing repeated striking, it is common to specify what is used to strike and what is struck: in the pattern 'mit den Fingern auf' (with one's fingers on), 'auf' is followed by a noun phrase in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind trommelte wütend mit den Fäusten auf den Boden.
The child angrily drummed their fists on the floor.
Sounds of nature
With rain or similar natural phenomena, 'trommeln' (to drum) is often used with 'gegen' (against) followed by a noun phrase in the accusative. The subject is then the natural phenomenon producing the sound.
EXAMPLE
Der Hagel trommelte heftig gegen das Dach.
The hail drummed hard against the roof.
Campaigning for something
In the figurative expression 'für etwas trommeln' (to campaign for something), 'für' (for) takes the accusative. This expression is often used for public campaigns and sustained efforts.
EXAMPLE
Vor der Wahl trommelten alle Parteien für ihre Kandidaten.
Before the election, all the parties campaigned for their candidates.
In real life
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