Kreuzen

Kreuzen is a German verb with several related meanings centered on the idea of crossing or intersecting. It is derived from the noun Kreuz (cross) and belongs to regular weak verbs, forming the present tense as ich kreuze, du kreuzest, er kreuzt, wir kreuzen, ihr kreuzet, sie kreuzen.

In use, kreuzen commonly denotes crossing or intersecting spaces, lines, or routes. For example, Zwei Straßen kreuzen sich in der Innenstadt means two streets intersect in the city center. The verb can also express the act of crossing a point on a map or diagram.

In biology and agriculture, kreuzen refers to crossbreeding or crossing two organisms or varieties to produce offspring. This yields Kreuzungen (crossings) or hybrids and is a standard term in genetics, horticulture, and animal breeding.

In everyday language, kreuzen can also mean to mark something with a cross, typically in forms or checklists. Phrases like Einen Kästchen kreuzen or Ich setze ein Kreuz, um dies anzuzeigen are common, with the ongoing action described as ich kreuze or ich habe gekreuzt in the past.

Conjugation notes: besides the present forms, past tense is kreuzte (ich kreuzte), and the past participle is gekreuzt, used with have: ich habe gekreuzt. The verb also yields related forms such as überkreuzen (to cross over) or ankreuzen (to mark with a cross), depending on specificity.