01
sich verengen
to narrow
To become narrower or tighter.
example
Bei hellem Licht verengen sich die Pupillen.
In bright light, the pupils narrow.
verengen
to narrow
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verengen' (to narrow) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the stem 'engen' in all sentence forms, which comes from the adjective 'eng' (narrow/tight). The prefix 'ver-' expresses a change here: something becomes narrow or is made narrower.
EXAMPLE
Durch die Schwellung verengte sich sein Hals.
Because of the swelling, his throat narrowed.
Reflexive or transitive
This verb has two sentence patterns. Reflexive ('sich verengen') means that something becomes narrower by itself. Transitive ('etwas verengen') means that a person or thing actively makes something else narrower.
EXAMPLE
Die Straße verengt sich nach der nächsten Kurve.
The road narrows after the next bend.
Typical collocations
In the literal meaning, 'sich verengen' (to narrow) is often used in medical or biological contexts. Typical subjects are blood vessels, pupils, or airways.
EXAMPLE
Beim Rauchen können sich die Blutgefäße verengen.
When smoking, the blood vessels can narrow.
Figurative use
In the figurative meaning, 'sich verengen' (to narrow) is often used for abstract concepts. Typical subjects here are one's view, perspective, or possibilities.
EXAMPLE
Durch seine festen Überzeugungen hat sich sein Blickwinkel stark verengt.
Because of his firm convictions, his perspective has narrowed considerably.
Compare with
verengen vs erweitern
to expand
'erweitern' and 'verengen' describe opposite directions. 'erweitern' makes something larger, wider, or richer in content. 'verengen' makes something narrower or describes something becoming narrower. This can be physical, for example a road or a blood vessel, but also figurative: possibilities or viewpoints can narrow. Put simply: 'erweitern' opens up more space or possibilities, while 'verengen' takes space or possibilities away.
verengen
Nach der Baustelle verengt sich die Straße auf eine Spur.
After the construction site, the road narrows to one lane.
erweitern
Im Gespräch erweitere ich meinen Vorschlag um einen wichtigen Punkt.
In the discussion, I expand my proposal by adding an important point.
In real life
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