01
würgen
to gag
To have the physical reflex of vomiting without actually throwing up; to feel the urge to vomit.
example
Der schreckliche Geruch ließ ihn würgen.
The terrible smell made him gag.
würgen
to gag / choke
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Body reaction vs. violence
The meaning of 'würgen' (to gag/choke) depends heavily on the sentence structure. Without an object, it usually means to gag or feel the urge to vomit. With an accusative object (a person), it means to violently grab someone by the throat.
EXAMPLE
Er musste plötzlich würgen.
He suddenly had to gag.
Register and context
The meaning 'jemanden erwürgen' (to strangle someone) is very strong and is used mainly in the context of violence and crime, for example in crime novels or police reports.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei ermittelt, weil der Täter sein Opfer gewürgt hat.
The police are investigating because the perpetrator choked his victim.
Separable verb
In the meaning 'etwas mit Mühe schlucken' (to swallow something with difficulty), 'würgen' (to gag/choke) is often combined with the separable prefix 'hinunter-' (down). In a main clause, 'hinunter' goes at the end.
EXAMPLE
Das trockene Brot konnte ich kaum hinunterwürgen.
I could barely force down the dry bread.
Technical context clue
When the subject is an engine or a machine, 'würgen' (to choke/sputter) has a technical meaning. It describes the engine faltering or threatening to stall.
EXAMPLE
Wenn man die Kupplung zu schnell loslässt, würgt der Motor ab.
If you release the clutch too quickly, the engine stalls.
Compare with
würgen vs einschränken
to restrict / limit
'einschränken' and 'würgen' can be similar in a technical context when the flow or performance is reduced. 'einschränken' is the general word and fits many situations, including rules, quantities, or possibilities. 'würgen' is more specific in this meaning and sounds technical; for example, it means that the flow in an engine or a pipe is heavily throttled. In everyday language, 'würgen' usually has other physical meanings. For general limiting, 'einschränken' is therefore almost always more natural.
würgen
Ein falscher Filter kann den Motor würgen und seine Leistung senken.
The wrong filter can choke the engine and reduce its performance.
einschränken
Die neue Regel schränkt den Zugang zum Parkplatz ein.
The new rule restricts access to the parking lot.
In real life
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