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
verengen
to narrow
To make something narrower or tighter.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Baustelle verengt die Fahrbahn auf eine Spur.
The new construction site narrows the road to one lane.
sich verengen
to narrow
In a figurative sense, to become limited to something or restricted in one's possibilities.
EXAMPLE
Seine Sichtweise auf das Problem hat sich mit der Zeit stark verengt.
His view of the problem has narrowed considerably over time.
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 einschränken
to restrict / limit
Einschränken describes limiting someone's rights, actions, or possibilities. Sich verengen, by contrast, emphasizes a development in which the available range becomes smaller and smaller. Use einschränken for an imposed restriction and sich verengen for the gradual decline in options.
verengen
Nach mehreren Absagen verengt sich der Kreis ihrer beruflichen Möglichkeiten.
After several rejections, the range of her professional opportunities is narrowing.
einschränken
Die neue Regel schränkt ihre beruflichen Möglichkeiten ein.
The new rule restricts her professional opportunities.
In real life
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