Lenken

Lenken is a German verb meaning to steer, direct, or guide the movement of a vehicle or object. In everyday use it describes steering a car, bicycle, boat, or aircraft, and it can also be used metaphorically to mean directing a project, policy, or organization.

In the context of vehicles, lenken refers to the system that translates the driver’s input at the steering wheel into turning of the wheels. The driver operates the steering wheel, which connects through the steering column to the steering gear and linkages that move the front wheels. Modern cars employ various mechanical configurations and assist systems. The two common mechanical layouts are Zahnstangenlenkung (rack-and-pinion) and Kugelumlauf-Lenkung (recirculating-ball). Many vehicles also use power-assisted steering, through hydraulic (Servolenkung) or electric (elektrische Lenkung, EPS) assistance. Steering geometry, including steering ratio, toe-in/toe-out, and caster, influences steering effort, stability, and handling. The feel of the steering, known as Lenkwinkel or Lenkergefühl, is a key parameter in vehicle design and tuning.

Beyond automobiles, lenken applies to other domains such as ships and aircraft, where steering systems govern course changes via specialized steering gear. The term also appears in a broader, non-technical sense to describe directing attention or guiding a course of action, for example lenken der Öffentlichkeit.

Etymologically, lenken derives from the German verb lenken; the related noun Lenkung denotes the steering mechanism, while Lenkrad refers to the steering wheel. The concept encompasses both the act of steering and the structural systems that enable it.