to do gymnastics
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to do gymnastics
To perform physical exercises that require strength, flexibility, and coordination, often as a sport (apparatus gymnastics) or in physical education class.
Jeden Mittwochnachmittag gehen die Kinder zum Turnen in die Sporthalle.
Every Wednesday afternoon, the children go to the gymnasium to do gymnastics.
The perfect tense of 'turnen' (to do gymnastics) is always formed with 'haben' (to have), even when it describes movement. The reason is that it is not directed movement from one place to another.
Gestern habe ich zum ersten Mal seit Jahren wieder geturnt.
Yesterday I did gymnastics again for the first time in years.
'Turnen' (to do gymnastics) is an intransitive verb that does not take an accusative object. The place of the action is usually given with a preposition, for example 'am Barren turnen' (to do gymnastics on the parallel bars), 'auf dem Boden turnen' (to do floor exercises), or 'in der Halle turnen' (to do gymnastics in the hall).
Die Athletin turnt am Schwebebalken.
The athlete is doing gymnastics on the balance beam.
The verb 'turnen' (to do gymnastics) is often used as the noun 'das Turnen' (gymnastics) to refer to the activity or sport as a whole. This form often appears after prepositions.
Meine Tochter hat viel Spaß beim Turnen.
My daughter has a lot of fun doing gymnastics.
In the informal meaning 'spielerisch klettern' (to climb around playfully), the verb is often combined with the particle 'herum' to form 'herumturnen' (to climb around). This emphasizes aimless, playful movement.
Die Affen turnten auf den Ästen der Bäume herum.
The monkeys climbed around on the branches of the trees.
to train
'trainieren' and 'turnen' can both refer to physical exercises. 'trainieren' is more general: you do sports or exercises to get fitter, build muscle, or prepare for a competition. 'turnen' refers to specific movement exercises involving strength, flexibility, and coordination, for example in physical education class or in apparatus gymnastics. Informally, it can also mean that children or animals climb around and jump. The words can be confused because gymnastics can also be a kind of training. But not every kind of training is gymnastics.
Die Klasse turnt heute in der Sporthalle am Barren.
Today the class is doing gymnastics on the parallel bars in the gym.
Am Montag trainiert ihr zu Hause für den Halbmarathon.
On Monday, you train at home for the half marathon.