01
weben
to weave
To make cloth or fabric by interlacing threads on a loom.
example
In dieser Manufaktur wird seit über hundert Jahren Leinen von Hand gewebt.
In this workshop, linen has been woven by hand for over a hundred years.
weben
to weave
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 04
Usage tips
Context clue
The subject or object of the sentence reveals the meaning. People weave fabrics, spiders weave webs, authors weave stories, and fog can drift through the streets.
EXAMPLE
Die Künstlerin webt einen farbenfrohen Teppich.
The artist is weaving a colorful carpet.
Typical objects
In its basic meaning, 'weben' (to weave) is combined with the materials or products of textile production. Common objects are 'Stoff' (fabric), 'einen Teppich' (a carpet), 'Leinen' (linen), or 'Wolle' (wool).
EXAMPLE
Sie lernte, wie man auf einem traditionellen Webstuhl einen Schal webt.
She learned how to weave a scarf on a traditional loom.
Fixed combination
When the subject is a spider, 'weben' (to weave) is almost always used in the fixed combination 'ein Netz weben' (to weave a web).
EXAMPLE
Im Garten hat eine Spinne ein kunstvolles Netz gewebt.
In the garden, a spider wove an intricate web.
Figurative meaning
This figurative meaning describes the artful creation of something complex. It is often used with abstract nouns such as 'eine Geschichte' (a story), 'eine Legende' (a legend), 'ein Plan' (a plan), or 'eine Intrige' (an intrigue).
EXAMPLE
Der Regisseur webt verschiedene Handlungsstränge zu einem fesselnden Film.
The director weaves different plotlines into a gripping film.
Poetic language
This use is poetic and not everyday language. It describes a slow, floating movement and is often used for natural phenomena such as 'Nebel' (fog) or 'Düfte' (scents).
EXAMPLE
Der Duft von frischem Kaffee webte durch die Küche.
The smell of fresh coffee drifted through the kitchen.
Compare with
weben vs wirken
to seem / take effect
'wirken' and 'weben' can both have to do with making cloth or fabric from threads. 'weben' is the clear word when threads are interlaced on a loom. 'wirken' describes a different or more general textile technique in which threads are joined into loops or fabric. It sounds more specialized and is used much less often in everyday language. Learners may confuse the words because both belong to the area of textiles. When it is about a loom and crossed threads, 'weben' is more precise. When it is about loops or a special textile technique, 'wirken' can fit.
weben
Zur Vorführung webt sie einen bunten Teppich auf einem alten Webstuhl.
For the demonstration, she weaves a colorful rug on an old loom.
wirken
Im Sommer haben wir im Kurs ein kleines Stück Stoff gewirkt.
In the summer, we warp-knitted a small piece of fabric in the course.
In real life
Loading video examples...