to surround
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to surround
To enclose someone or something from all sides so that there is no way out. This is often done by the police, the military, or a hostile group.
Die Polizei hat das Gebäude umzingelt, in dem sich die Bankräuber verschanzt hatten.
The police surrounded the building where the bank robbers had barricaded themselves.
'Umzingeln' (to surround) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'um-' is not stressed and remains firmly attached to the stem in all verb forms. The past participle is 'umzingelt'.
Die Fans haben den Sänger nach dem Konzert umzingelt.
The fans surrounded the singer after the concert.
The word contains the prefix 'um-' (around) and the old word stem 'zingel' (ring, wall). 'Umzingeln' (to surround) therefore literally means to form a ring or wall around something.
Die Kinder umzingelten den Eiswagen und warteten ungeduldig.
The children surrounded the ice cream truck and waited impatiently.
The verb 'umzingeln' (to surround) always needs an accusative object. You ask: Wen oder was umzingeln sie? (Whom or what are they surrounding?)
Die Wölfe umzingelten das verletzte Tier.
The wolves surrounded the injured animal.
The verb is often used in contexts involving the police, the military, or conflicts. Typical subjects are groups (police, soldiers) that enclose a target (building, person).
Die Spezialeinheit hat das Haus des Verdächtigen umzingelt.
The special unit surrounded the suspect's house.
to surround
'umgeben' and 'umzingeln' can both mean that someone or something is enclosed from all sides. The important difference is the effect: 'umgeben' is neutral and often simply describes a location. 'umzingeln' sounds much stronger and usually threatening, because someone no longer has a way out. It is often used with the police, the military, or a hostile group. Learners may confuse the words because both mean 'all around'. As a guide: if it is only about the surroundings, use 'umgeben'; if someone is being enclosed and blocked in, use 'umzingeln'.
Die Polizei umzingelte das Gebäude nach dem Alarm.
The police surrounded the building after the alarm.
Der Spielplatz ist von einem niedrigen Zaun umgeben.
The playground is surrounded by a low fence.